Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency and identity verification startup co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has been authorized to restart its iris-scanning operations in Kenya after a year-long investigation by the country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was concluded with no further police action. The probe began shortly after Worldcoin’s launch, as regulatory bodies expressed concerns regarding the authenticity and legality of its security, financial services, and data protection methods. The DCI’s decision comes with the condition that Worldcoin must register officially as a business, obtain necessary licenses, and thoroughly vet its vendors.
Despite the DCI’s clearance, a parliamentary committee had previously recommended shutting down Worldcoin’s operations due to violations of data protection and cybersecurity regulations. The committee also identified the company’s activities as potential espionage threats. Worldcoin faces additional scrutiny globally, with ongoing investigations in European countries, including Germany, Spain, and Portugal, each examining the compliance and impact of its data collection practices. The situation underscores the challenges governments face in regulating rapidly advancing technologies, prompting Kenya to consider developing a regulatory framework for virtual assets.
Worldcoin has been allowed to restart iris-scanning in Kenya after a year-long probe.
cryptocurrency, data privacy, technology regulation
