Alex Bania, co-founder of controversial tech firm WorldCoin, has responded to the decision by the Kenyan government to suspend its operations after weeks of collecting biometric data in exchange for crypto tokens.
Bania has claimed in a statement that the company’s operations are above board and that World ID, which they are creating, is a safe and secure method to protect data.
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.
“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 stated.
Long queues at KICC
Interior Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, August 2, suspended the operations of the company after days of long queues at KICC and other data collection points that raised eyebrows.
Kenya thronged the locations to have their iris scanned in exchange for Ksh7,000 worth of tokens. Regulators have commenced investigations into the company’s conduct in the last months, but Kenyans have claimed that the data collection has been happening.
“Relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities, the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data,” Kindiki stated.
What is WorldCoin Trying to Do?
The tech firm is building a global identification system using iris scans which can prove a person’s uniqueness or prove whether a subject is human.
WorldCoin argues that in a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fully functional, it can be hard to determine whether an agent is human or a machine. They believe the technology will solve the problem.
However, the company’s conduct in collecting biometric data from across the world has attracted criticism and investigations from data protection regulators.
Investigators have pointed out that some of the techniques being used by the company, especially in developing countries, are exploitative.
In Kenya for instance, the company has been collecting data in exchange for crypto tokens equivalent to Ksh7,000.
In his statement, Bania has defended the company, stating that “World ID is built for privacy. We look forward to resuming operations while continuing global rollout.”
