The government is currently investigating the technology used by the American Artificial Intelligence company, OpenAI, for its Worldcoin cryptocurrency project in Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki shared this information during his appearance before the Senate Ad Hoc committee, which is looking into the suspended crypto project.
Mr. Kindiki explained that they had recovered 48 electronic devices and various items used in the project from Tools For Humanity agents.
Tools For Humanity is a global company based in Germany that played a significant role in developing the Worldcoin protocol.
He added, “The National Security agencies have also recovered assorted documents and recorded twenty-six statements from witnesses and other persons of interest and are currently being analyzed.
The investigations will be expedited in consideration of the public interest and national security concerns, and those found culpable shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The crypto project was suspended in Kenya on August 2 due to concerns about the security of data collected, as many Kenyans used the Worldcoin Orb to verify their online identities through eye scans.
Mr. Kindiki expressed doubts about the safety of Worldcoin activities, as the company was operating without government approval.
He emphasized the importance of protecting citizen data and stated, “Citizen data is a sovereignty issue.
They harvested data here operating outside the law.
I know I run the risk of being told I’m standing in the way of commerce but as a security manager, I need to know who is behind any crypto the source of their investment, and who is doing what because if we allow anything that will harm the people of Kenya I will be asked”
Tools For Humanity (TFH) revealed that they had been scanning people’s irises in Nairobi and other urban areas in Kenya since 2021 during the project’s pilot phase.
The Worldcoin project was launched globally on June 24 but faced privacy and data security concerns, especially because new members received 25 free cryptocurrency tokens worth Ksh.8,256 after verification.
The Kenyan government has halted all activities related to the crypto project until relevant agencies confirm that there are no security risks involved. Mr. Kindiki assured the Senate committee that they would have preliminary investigation results by September 30 to address their concerns.
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