Worldcoin continues to face hurdles in various countries around the world.
Worldcoin's vision to differentiate humans from AI-driven bots through a unique digital ID system based on Proof-of-Personhood has hit a stumbling block in Kenya.
Launched officially on July 24th, 2023, after three years of development, the initiative was co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI.
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The Kenyan government's concern over the collection of sensitive identification information, such as iris scans, has led to an abrupt halt in the project's local activities.
Minister of Internal Security Kithure Kindiki announced on Facebook on August 2nd that all Worldcoin activities would be suspended until the relevant public agencies certify the project as risk-free for Kenyans.
The minister's statement explicitly outlined the government's position:
Relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities. Appropriate action will be taken on any natural or juristic person who furthers, aids, abets or otherwise engages in or is connected with the activities afore described.
Worldcoin's project is founded on the anticipation that differentiating between humans and online bots will become increasingly complex as AI technology evolves. This led to the startup's creation of a digital ID system, where an individual's iris is scanned to generate a World ID. The OpenAI-backed initiative has seen significant attention within the AI community.
Despite the massive interest, several crypto-related entities, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, voiced concerns about Worldcoin's data collection practices and securities.
On top of that, after the launch, Worldcoin received mixed data about user involvement in this project.
The suspension of Worldcoin's activities in Kenya highlights the challenges and complexities that innovative cryptocurrency projects may face on the legal and regulatory fronts. As governments worldwide grapple with the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in the intersection of AI and personal identification, the Worldcoin case in Kenya is a poignant example of the need for clear guidelines and safeguards.
