Worldcoin owner breaks silence over its suspension in Kenya

Alex Bania, co-founder of controversial tech firm Worldcoin has broken silence over the decision by the Kenyan government to suspend its operations in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Bania said the World ID is a digital identification method that allows one to prove that they are unique and a real person while remaining anonymous.

The technology involves the users having their irises scanned by a device called the Orb.

He apologized to Kenyans for the suspension.

"Tools for Humanity (TFH) has paused World ID verifications in Kenya as we continue to work with local regulators to address their questions. We apologise to everyone in Kenya for the delay," he said.

On Wednesday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the state suspended world coin activities and any other entity that may similarly engage Kenyans. 

He noted that the government is concerned by the ongoing activities which is involved in the registration of citizens through the collection of eyeball/iris data.

The registration exercise for Worldcoin at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre was stopped on Tuesday over security concerns.

Hundreds of Kenyans who had turned up were turned away as police locked the gate to the venue.

However, CS Kindiki revealed that relevant security, financial services, and protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the activities described above.

"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.

TFH has paused World ID verifications in Kenya as we continue to work with local regulators to address their questions. We apologize to everyone in Kenya for the delay.

World ID is built for privacy. We look forward to resuming operations, while continuing global rollout.

— Alex Blania (@alexblania) August 2, 2023