WorldCoin: Govt Suspends Cryptocurrency Project Luring Kenyans With Free Money To Scan Their Eyeballs

• The government suspended Worldcoin activities requiring Kenyans to scan their eyeballs for free KSh 7,000
• Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki said investigations are ongoing to ascertain the authenticity of the entity
• Cybersecurity expert Allan Lwala warned that Worldcoin could be a time bomb waiting to explode and breach Kenyans' data privacy

The Kenyan government has suspended all activities related to Worldcoin in the country.

Thousands of Kenyans have been trooping to malls and at KICC Nairobi to scan their eyeballs for a free token of 25WLD coins, equivalent to KSh 7,000.

Worldcoin registers over 350,000 Kenyans

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki said on Wednesday, August 2, that the entity's activities will remain terminated until relevant authorities prove its authenticity to data privacy.

""Relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities, the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data.

"The government has suspended fortwith, 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 to the general public whatsoever," said Kindinki in a press statement.

As of Tuesday, August 1, more than 350,000 Kenyans had scanned their eyeballs for the cryptocurrency-free coins.

Kindiki said the government is concerned about the assurance of public safety and integrity of the financial transactions involving such a large number of citizens.

Kenyans warned against Worldcoin craze

The CS warned that action will be taken against any person found engaging in the aforementioned activities before relevant authorities approve it.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, cybersecurity expert Allan Lwala said the entity's free coins are cryptocurrencies, warning that the tricky part with it is the collection of iris biometrics.

Lwala argued that this might breach the privacy of Kenyans who are scanning their eyeballs.

"It is a privacy nightmare waiting to happen. A lot can be done with your biometric data. Also, just like any cryptocurrency, it's a bubble that thrives on word of mouth. We stop talking about it; it pops!" said Lwala.

Eliud Owalo confirms Worldcoin's legality in Kenya

However, ICT and Digital Economy, Eliud Owlao defended the operations of Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency project by American Artificial Intelligence (AI) company OpenAI in the country.

During an interview on NTV on Wednesday, August 2, Owalo said the company is operating legally in Kenya.

The CS disclosed that the Kenya Kwanza administration is aware of OpenAI’s operations in the country and that they sought clearance in April before the Worldcoin registration process began.

“This is something that started way back in April. We have a fully-fledged Data Commissioner’s office charged with the regulation of data security and privacy. In April, the office of the Data Commissioner got wind of Worldcoin and wrote them a letter to clarify what they wanted to do,” Owalo said.