- Worldcoin is a new crypto project that claims to solve identification problems. Apparently, they plan to do this by getting people’s identities through a specially designed technology.
- However, many countries consider their project harmful to their citizens. Thus, many are launching investigations, and others are suspending the crypto project.
WorldCoin is a new crypto project created by the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Since the creation of this project, many speculate on its potential to succeed in the crypto industry. France, England, and Kenya are among the countries with ongoing investigations against the new project. Besides this, Worldcoin doesn’t support operations in the United States. Maybe, there’s fear of the fierce presence of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
France Begins Investigations Against Worldcoin
French privacy watchdog CNIL confirms ongoing investigations against Worldcoin. Like many countries, concerns surround the Worldcoin verification technology. Scanning the eyes with such technology doesn’t look appropriate. So France watchdogs want to make inquiries and call for the suspension of Worldcoin.
Apparently, to register as a Worldcoin user, you must verify your identity to get a Worldcoin ID. A Worldcoin Orb technology scans your iris to know if you are really a human. Although Worldcoin says the Orb won’t hurt users, France Watchdogs doesn’t want to hear any of it. They want to investigate the project and call for its ban in the country.
“The legality of this collection seems questionable, as do the conditions for storing biometric data,” CNIL said while speaking to Decrypt.co.
England Behind Their Investigations on Worldcoin
England didn’t hold back either. Regulators and watchdogs in the country want to ensure users’ safety. Furthermore, the uncertainty about the safety of Worldcoin Orb makes things worse. So, there are investigations to know whether to ban the project.
Britain’s data Regulator confirms ongoing inquiries to know Worldcoin’s safety status.
“We note the launch of WorldCoin in the UK and will be making further inquiries,” a spokesperson for the Information Commissioner’s Office told Reuters. Like France and Kenya, there are concerns about users’ data safety in England.
Kenya Suspends Worldcoin
Kenya was the country that didn’t need any lengthy investigations to ban Worldcoin. In fact, a watchdog didn’t handle the situation. The government took control of the investigations and suspension of the new crypto project.
Apparently, the iris scanning technology Worldcoin uses makes the government apprehensive. Furthermore, they consider the technology to be harmful to citizens.
“The Kenyan government is concerned about the ongoing activities of the project, which calls itself Worldcoin, which is involved in the registration of citizens through the collection of iris data.
At this point, the relevant financial, security and data protection services have started investigations to ensure the legitimacy and data protection of the project,” Kenyan Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said.
Conclusion
The Worldcoin project promises to solve many issues with identification in the world. Furthermore, they claim to connect individuals to the world economy. Although the US users don’t participate in the project, other countries confirm ongoing investigations. France, England, and now Kenya is against the project.
Featured image from Worldcoin.org
