Kenyan Government Forms Committee to Investigate Controversial Crypto Project

The Kenyan government has set up a parliamentary committee to probe the activities of the controversial crypto project, Worldcoin. Led by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, the 15-member committee has been given 42 days to conduct its investigation and submit a report to the House committee.

Government Concerned Over Worldcoin's Activities

The decision to launch the parliamentary investigation follows Kenya's suspension of Worldcoin's operations three weeks ago. The government ordered the project to cease scanning users' iris, but it failed to comply. The Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure, who played a key role in the suspension, expressed the government's concern over Worldcoin's activities. He argued that the collection of citizens' iris data poses serious security risks.

Worldcoin Facing Opposition From Regulatory Bodies

Aside from the parliamentary committee, Worldcoin has faced opposition from various regulatory bodies in Kenya. The country's court also suspended the project's activities following a lawsuit filed by the office of the data commissioner. The court ordered Worldcoin to preserve the data it had gathered between April last year and August 2023 until the lawsuit concludes.

Controversy and Hype Surrounding Worldcoin

Worldcoin, a crypto project focused on digital identity and its native WLD coin, launched amidst controversy and hype. During its trial phase, the project attracted nearly 2 million users. However, as it went public in several countries, reports of controversial tactics employed by Worldcoin began to emerge. This prompted investigations by governments in Nigeria, the UK, Argentina, Germany, and now Kenya.