Worldcoin Menace: Government Suspends Worldcoin Activities In The Country
In a recent development, the government of Kenya has taken a decisive step by suspending all Worldcoin activities within the country. This decision was announced by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, who further emphasized that any other organization engaging Kenyan citizens in a similar manner will also face suspension.
The government’s concern primarily revolves around the activities of an entity going by the name ‘Worldcoin,’ which has been involved in registering citizens through the collection of eyeball/iris data.
In response to these concerns, the registration exercise for Worldcoin, which was taking place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, was halted on Tuesday due to security reasons.
During the event, hundreds of Kenyans had gathered, hoping to participate in the registration process.
However, they were ultimately turned away when the police intervened and locked the gates to the venue.
The suspension of Worldcoin’s activities and the preventive measures taken by the government demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the privacy and security of Kenyan citizens in such sensitive matters.
Further developments will be closely monitored, and the government remains vigilant about similar activities by any other organizations operating within the country.
if you’re at KICC today for @worldcoin registration, you can swap some $WLD for $NUZO @ Ksh 375 and get unga ya 2KG for 200/= only
so with 2 $WLD, you can buy 6kg of UNGA and be left with Ksh 150 #SaveWithNuzo pic.twitter.com/2cWlsXq91G
— Charles (@CharlesDNichols) July 30, 2023
Worldcoin, which launched on Monday, July 24, awards users with free tokens, referred to as WLD, once they verify their humanity by scanning their eyeballs using machines located in specified places across some 35 countries around the globe, Kenya being one of them.
After registering and scanning their irises, participants are given 25 Worldcoin tokens. But to convert that token to cash, they have to sell the tokens for USDT (a virtual US dollar) on a crypto exchange that lists Worldcoin’s virtual currency. They can then resell USDT for local currency.
By the end of the first day of launch, each Worldcoin token was worth $2.1 or 299 Kenyan Shillings. Every person who scans their iris on Worldcoin’s shiny orbs gets 25 Worldcoin tokens (or WLD) which is worth an estimated KES7,700 or roughly $54.
CS Kindiki has revealed that relevant security, financial services and protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities.
“Also investigations of the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data is being looked at,” he said.
For public safety, the CS said the integrity of the financial transactions involving such a large number of citizens must be satisfactorily provided upfront.
How can you cash out your @worldcoin
tokens without being scammed?We are at the @worldcoin registration in KICC. Visit us and learn more . pic.twitter.com/jlOk9zpNlx
— Kotani Pay (@kotanipay) July 30, 2023
In addition, the government has warned of any entity or person intending to undertake such an activity.
“Appropriate action will be taken on any natural or juristic person who further aids, abets or otherwise engages minor is connected with the activities afore-described,” Kindiki added.
Charles Nichols, founder and CEO of Nuzo, a crypto payments company which also sells everyday food items like maize flour and smartphones and TVs invited people who had registered and scanned their irises at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre to swap WLD tokens for NuzoCoins and discounted maize flour.
Nuzo is offering up to 375 Kenyan shillings per WLD token, or 9,375 Kenyan Shillings.
