Kenya suspends Worldcoin crypto over privacy concerns

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

crypto project that relies on an eye scan to verify a user's identity, citing concerns about data protection. Worldcoin, set up by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, began operating in June in Germany and provides users with a private digital identity — a "World ID" — after they get their eye's unique iris pattern scanned. The project, according to its founders, aims to solve one of the main challenges facing the crypto industry that largely relies on pseudonyms to operate, leaving it vulnerable to spam bots and scams. Users who registered with the project in Kenya were offered 25 free Worldcoin tokens worth about 7,000 shillings ($45), drawing thousands of people to multiple sign-up points in the capital Nairobi.

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Interior minister Kithure Kindiki said authorities were «concerned» by the project and launched investigations to ascertain «the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data». «The government has suspended forthwith, activities of 'Worldcoin' and any other entity that may be similarly engaging the people of Kenya until relevant public agencies certify the absence of any risks,» Kindiki said. In a statement to AFP, the Worldcoin Foundation said demand for a World ID in Kenya had been «overwhelming» and as a precaution, verification services had been «temporarily paused». «During the pause, the team will develop an onboarding program that