A parliamentary committee in Kenya's government charged with reviewing Worldcoin has recommended that the project's operations in the country be suspended.

According to a report released on September 30 by Kenya's parliament, Worldcoin has continued to gather personal data from Kenyans "in total disregard" of a cease-and-desist order issued in May, potentially including information from minors.

The committee suggested that Kenyan authorities "disable Worldcoin's virtual platforms" and probe its enterprises for potential criminal prosecution.

A spokesperson for Tools for Humanity, the business behind Worldcoin, told Cointelegraph that many of the parliamentary report's "conclusions or assessments" were false. The company stated that it intended to continue working with local regulators to address their concerns about Worldcoin.

The report mentioned privacy concerns for Kenyans, but stated that determining the number of "orbs" in the country — the devices Worldcoin employs to allow users to submit scans of their irises for verification — was difficult or impossible.

According to the committee's recommendations, the government should explore developing a complete framework for digital assets and virtual asset service providers in Kenya, as well as revising existing rules to address cybercrime and tax reporting obligations.

“The unregulated adoption and use of cryptocurrency as an attempt to fully decentralize the global monetary systems, poses threat to statehood.”

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/kenya-parliamentary-committee-shutdown-worldcoin

http://www.parliament.go.ke/sites/default/files/2023-09/AD%20HOC%20COMMITTEE%20ON%20INQUIRY%20INTO%20THE%20ACTIVITIES%20OF%20WORLD%20COIN%281%29.pdf