Kenya cautions the public against Worldcoin
2 min read
Kenya through the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner calls on the public to exercise caution as they engage with Worldcoin
Kenya through the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner calls on the public to exercise caution as they engage with Worldcoin.
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has urged the public to exercise greater caution as they interact with the digital identification platform Worldcoin, a company that processes iris data using an orb scanner.
Users are being issued with one of the company’s tokens for free once they prove that they are not robots. The value of the tokens is currently not clear.
At least two million users signed up for the platform during the trial stages before it was officially launched on Monday.
In a statement on Friday, ODPC said that it was aware that Worldcoin had been launched in the country and that it was processing sensitive personal data in a manner that required a demonstration of proper safeguards under the Data Protection Act, 2019.
“As the ODPC conducts its assessment of Worldcoin’s practices to ensure compliance with the law, Kenyans are urged to ensure that they receive proper information before disclosing any personal or sensitive data,” reads the statement in part.
Why Uhuru did not speak during Azimio requiem service, Insider
Safaricom increases M-pesa rates as Finance Act 2023 takes effect
Ruto’s criticism of IMF & World Bank has borne fruits, CS Mutua
Kenya strikes deal to extend SGR to Uganda
“Individuals are advised to thoroughly inquire about how their data will be used.”
Worldcoin is a new project by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman where users are required to provide their iris scans in exchange for digital identification and free cryptocurrency called Worldcoin token.
The Worldcoin project assigns people who sign up a digital ID which it says will help distinguish humans from artificial intelligence (AI) programmes online.
The founder says eye-scanning is necessary for a future in which distinguishing between humans and robots becomes increasingly challenging due to a surge in AI technology.
Also read,
Niger army general declares himself president after the coup
Ruto’s lawyer reports Raila, Uhuru to ICC
Government to demolish Uhuru’s Sh1.9bn Likoni floating bridge
Omtatah vows to shoot down Parts of Finance Act after Court of Appeal lifts suspension
Follow us
