{Photo courtesy of Nation}
By Samuel Owino
The government on Wednesday, 2 August, has suspended activities by World Coin pending assessment on its risks.
On a statement by interior CS, Kithure Kindiki, the government has suspended the activities by the American company, OpenAI, till concerned government agencies verify these activities and the risks they may pose to the public.
“Accordingly, the government has suspended forthwith, activities of ‘WORLD COIN’ 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 people of Kenya whatsoever.” Part of the statement reads.
The statements also read that appropriate action will be taken on anyone who furthers, aids, abets, or engages with the suspended activities.
This suspension comes a day after Kenyans lined up at malls and at KICC for the second day to scan their eyeball for an award of 25 world coin that amounts to 7700 Kenyan Shillings and a virtual human identity, World ID.
In a interview on Wednesday morning, ICT CS, Eliud Owalo, said that as far as Data Act 2019 is concerned, World Coin is not violating any laws.
He also said that the ODPC (Office of Data Protection Commissioner) got wind of the activities by World Coin and they are going to release a comprehensive statement on the concerns about World Coin.
On Tuesday, 1 August, police officers had to suspend World Coin registration at KICC, citing security concerns.