Key takeaways:
- The Kenyan Worldcoin warehouse was investigated by law enforcement. During the operation, machines with stored data were seized.
- The raid comes after Kenya on August 2 banned Worldcoin’s operations while looking into its adherence to privacy rights of citizens.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kenyan authorities have launched a decisive crackdown on a cryptocurrency operation, orchestrating a high-profile raid on a Worldcoin warehouse nestled in the heart of Nairobi.
During a recent operation, law enforcement authorities seized a range of documents and machinery suspected of housing the data amassed by the company using its iris-scanning “orbs,” which were introduced in late July. The materials taken into custody have been transferred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for further evaluation and analysis.
In response to security apprehensions, the Kenyan government imposed a suspension on Worldcoin’s activities just last week, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki leading the initiative.
Immaculate Kassait, the Data Commissioner, revealed to local media that the parent company of Worldcoin, known as Tools for Humanity, had not openly revealed its true intentions during the registration process.
The joint statement released by the two Kenyan ministries emphasized the necessity to raise awareness among Kenyan citizens about the potential hazards linked to cybersecurity breaches, data infringements, and the critical requirement for complete transparency prior to granting consent.
The statement further pointed out that the suspension on the processing of personal data by Worldcoin, imposed by the ODPC, remains in effect, and the regulatory body expressed concerns regarding the genuineness of the consent solicited from individuals.
In this context, the Office highlighted that individuals were being prompted to grant consent in exchange for a monetary incentive, potentially casting doubt on the voluntary nature of such agreements.
The core objective of this daring raid was to unearth any potential unlawful activities intertwined with the company’s crypto ventures.
Emerging reports suggest that authorities were prompted to action by suspicions encompassing money laundering, tax evasion, and the potential misuse of digital currencies for illicit purposes.
The project’s ethical issues have been called into question by critics all around the world. The Kenyan government, in particular, has taken a tough stance because handling personal data without a sufficient purpose is illegal in Kenya.
The Kenyan Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has also highlighted concerns about the company’s legal framework in the African country.
