CA, Data Commissioner cite regulatory concerns on Worldcoin
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) have cited regulatory concerns on Worldcoin, which they say require urgent attention.
In a joint statement, CA Director-General Ezra Chiloba and Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait said that the issues require comprehensive inquiry to enable regulators to advise stakeholders on appropriate measures to protect the public interest.
"Since the launch of WorldCoin operations in Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner have undertaken a preliminary review and noted a number of legitimate regulatory concerns that require urgent attention," the statement read in part.
Among the issues noted include lack of clarity on the security and storage of the collected sensitive data (facial recognition and iris scans), obtaining consumer (data subject) consent in exchange for monetary reward which borders on inducement and uncertainty regarding consumer protection on cryptocurrency and related ICT services.
Other issues include inadequate information on cybersecurity safeguards and standards and massive citizen data in the hands of private actors without an appropriate framework.
"These issues require comprehensive inquiry to enable regulators to advise stakeholders on appropriate measures to protect public interest. Controversies around WorldCoin are not new. Similar concerns have been raised in other jurisdictions such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and India," the duo added.
The two said that a multi-agency investigation had been launched to safeguard Kenyans from data breaches.
"Consequently, and as directed by the Government, the WorldCoin must cease its data collection activities in Kenya until further notice. The public is advised to take caution when providing personal data to private actors. In the meantime, anyone with relevant information or a complaint on WorldCoin should report," they added.
Government suspends Worldcoin
The statement comes hours after the government suspended all Wordcoin registration activities in the country over security concerns.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithire Kindiki said the exercise that involved the collection of iris data had been halted until all security concerns were addressed.
"The Government is concerned by the ongoing activities of an organization calling itself ‘Worldcoin’ which is involved in the registration of citizens through collection of eyeball/iris data.
Kindiki confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the safety of data collected by the new cryptocurrency project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Max Novendstern and Alex Blania.