- Worldcoin will remain suspended in Kenya.
- The project was suspended last year.
- A powerful nation has tried to intervene to have the suspension lifted.
Kenya remains unmoved by a push by the U.S. government to lift the suspension of Worldcoin operations in the country, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said in Parliament.
Worldcoin ran into trouble with Kenyan authorities last year after observers expressed worries that sensitive data gathered from scanning a person’s iris might be targeted by the wrong people. The project had reportedly collected data from over 350,000 Kenyans before it was suspended on August 2.
Kenya Takes a Firm Position Against Worldcoin
According to a local media report, Prof Kindiki told the National Assembly’s committee on Public Petitions that Kenya has been under pressure from the U.S. government to lift the suspension it imposed on Worldcoin operations.
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“They (US) think that they (WorldCoin) still have a case to set up their activities here. We have remained adamant and the decision we took will remain,” Kindiki said.
When Kindiki issued a statement suspending Worldcoin’s operations last year, the minister revealed that relevant security, financial, and protection agencies had commenced inquiries and investigations into the project’s legality and authenticity.
In his latest address, the minister said the suspension will remain in place until the relevant agencies are assured of the safety and integrity of Worldcoin’s activities.
Besides the hurdle in parliament, Worldcoin faces a lawsuit filed at the High Court of Kenya by the office of the Data Commissioner, seeking the preservation of user information collected by the project in the country between April 19 and August 8 last year.
Read about Worldcoin’s plan to upgrade its iris scanning devices:
Worldcoin CEO Teases New Orb Upgrade Despite Privacy Concerns
Stay updated on Worldcoin’s WLD rally last month:
