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Kenyan MPs call for Worldcoin's closure over data concerns

A file photo of lawmakers during a parliamentary session. (Photo: National Assembly)

By Apollo Ochieng | Friday, February 9, 2024

Worldcoin is said to have collected data from minors through an iris scan.

A parliamentary committee investigating the conduct of cryptocurrency company Worldcoin in Kenya has called for the closure of the firm and all its subsidiaries.

This came after it emerged that Worldcoin engaged in illegal activities while operating in the country last year, including the registration of minors, contrary to various laws governing the collection and protection of data.

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The National Assembly ad hoc committee, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, accused the cryptocurrency firm of breaching laws governing the operations of foreign companies in Kenya.

The committee, in a report tabled in Parliament, said that testimonies and statements given by witnesses who appeared before the team showed that Worldcoin abused its privileges while operating in Kenya.

Worldcoin, according to some of the testimonies tabled before the committee, is also said to have collected data from minors through an iris scan.

It is also said that the company collected some of the data illegally, according to evidence presented before the team by Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait.

"The registration of Kenyans by the Worldcoin online app is still going on despite the pendency of a court order and other administrative directions halting the same in entirety. The recommendation of this committee is the shutdown of the data mining company, effective immediately," the report says.

Equally, the committee also asked the state to develop policies governing virtual assets and virtual assets service providers in Kenya.

The process, the team said, should be carried out within six months once the report is adopted by the House.

The committee further called for investigations into some of Worldcoin's subsidiaries, including Tools for Humanity Corp.

It also wants Worldcoin's virtual systems disabled after it was discovered that the company was still collecting data from Kenyans, despite a suspension of the process.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula last year formed the committee to probe Worldcoin following an uproar by the public.

It has 15 members from various departmental committees, among them Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Caroline Ng'elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Sara Korere (Laikipia North), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South), Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu East) and Irene Mayaka (nominated)

Others were Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), Edwin Gichuki (Mathioya), Ruweida Obo (Lamu East), and Innocent Maino Mugabe (Likuyani).