On August 2nd, the Kenyan Ministry of Interior Security made an official announcement on Facebook, revealing that the Kenyan government has temporarily suspended the operations of the Worldcoin project until relevant authorities can confirm that there are no risks posed to the Kenyan citizens.
This decision comes after concerns were raised regarding the project’s legality and data protection, as the project is linked to OpenAI and co-founded by Sam Altman. The Kenyan Ministry of Interior is currently investigating the authenticity of the project and how it ensures data protection, as thousands of Kenyan citizens have registered to participate on this platform.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the government is particularly concerned about the controversy surrounding the project and wants to ensure the safety and data protection of citizens in financial transactions related to Worldcoin. The suspension will remain in effect until relevant agencies confirm that all activities are safe and legal.
“Security agencies, financial services, and data protection authorities have initiated investigations to ascertain the authenticity and legality of the mentioned activities, as well as ensuring the safety and protection of the collected data,” – stated the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
Kindiki also emphasized that anyone found supporting or participating in Worldcoin’s activities will be dealt with according to the law.
Despite the controversies, the Worldcoin project has garnered significant attention in Kenya, with long queues of people at shopping centers to participate. The World App, the cryptocurrency wallet for Worldcoin, has also experienced a significant increase in downloads, becoming the top app on Kenya’s gaming store charts.