In news from Kenya, the Interior Ministry has put a halt on the data harvesting initiative by a firm known as WorldCoin. The firm, backed by Sam Altman, has drawn attention for the controversial methods it employs to collect data, triggering investigations by several security, financial services, and data protection agencies in the country to determine the legality of its activities.
WorldCoin’s modus operandi includes registering citizens’ information through iris scans, a method that has called into question the safety and integrity of personal data collection. Despite reassurances by Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki, who pledged to ensure the security of public data and financial transactions, considerable apprehension remains.
Malls across the country were inundated with Kenyans drawn by the allure of receiving the WLD, WorldCoin’s token, in exchange for their scanned iris data. The 25 tokens offered equate to Ksh7,786 (about $54), providing one of the few doors for many Kenyans to enter the world of cryptocurrency.
Yet, the collection method and the sheer volume of interest led to large gatherings, triggering the deployment of police forces to bring order. The actions underpin the uncertainty around WorldCoin’s practices and reflect the broader dialogue on data protection in the context of disruptive tech innovations like this.
Voices of the higher echelons of the Kenyan government have emerged on both sides of the fence. Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, suggested that WorldCoin had not contravened any law per se. Instead, WorldCoin’s operations exploited gaps in the country’s data protection laws, which are yet to catch up with the galloping pace of technology. However, in the absence of clear regulations, concerns over security issues linger.
WorldCoin’s operations on Kenyan soil will come under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks, acting as a litmus test for cryptocurrency-related businesses operating under the radar of existing data protection laws. If anything, this incident highlights the chasm between current legislation and the need for a robust legal framework that could balance tech innovation and public safety. Until that gap is bridged adequately, however, the question remains if WorldCoin’s operations are a leap towards an exciting digital future or a brinkmanship game fuelled by ambiguous regulations.
Source: Cryptonews
