Kenyan Lawmakers Investigate Worldcoin Project
The Worldcoin project is facing scrutiny from Kenyan lawmakers and authorities. CEO Alex Blania had to appear before a Kenyan parliamentary ad hoc committee to address allegations of illegal operations and data mining in the country. The project had raised concerns when it was discovered that it was not officially registered, yet over 350,000 Kenyans had signed up and scanned their eyeballs in exchange for WLD tokens. Blania defended the project by stating that it had been connected with the Kenyan Office of the Data Commissioner since April 2022 and argued that the firm was not obliged to register under Kenyan laws. However, the Kenyan regulator has imposed a one-year ban on the company and requires it to undergo a security audit, share the collected data, register with the Business Registration Services, and establish a local representative.
Health Risks and Controversy Surrounding Worldcoin
Kenyan lawmaker Susan has revealed that Worldcoin’s iris scanning technology may have exposed hundreds of thousands of Kenyans to health risks. She recommended that individuals seek medical help if they experience abnormal conditions after undergoing the scan. However, a Worldcoin user expressed surprise at these claims, stating he had undergone a scan last year and experienced no health issues. Worldcoin aims to create a network of users who verify their humanness and proof of personhood to build a large human identity and financial network. The project was founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, the founders of ChatGPT.
Hot Take: Worldcoin’s Legal and Ethical Challenges in Kenya
The Worldcoin project has been met with legal and ethical challenges in Kenya. The Kenyan government has suspended its activities and launched an investigation into its operations. The project’s CEO, Alex Blania, faced questioning from lawmakers regarding allegations of illegal operations and data mining. Blania defended the project, claiming compliance with data and registration requirements and emphasizing its commitment to Kenya. However, the Kenyan regulator imposed a one-year ban and set requirements for the project to resume operations. Additionally, concerns were raised about potential health risks associated with the project’s iris scanning technology. The controversy highlights the importance of legal compliance and ethical considerations for cryptocurrency projects operating in different jurisdictions.
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