Aug 03, 2023 12:30:00

The number of users of 'Worldcoin', which receives virtual currency through iris scanning, has reached 3 million, and the Kenyan government has decided to suspend registration due to security concerns

The number of users of the virtual currency project “ Worldcoin ”, which is managed by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has increased by more than 500,000 in a week since the official service started, reaching nearly 3 million in total. Meanwhile, due to security concerns, the Kenyan government has suspended registration.

Government suspends registration of Worldcoin - The Standard

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001478507/government-suspends-registration-of-worldcoin

Kenya suspends Worldcoin scans over security, privacy and financial concerns | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/02/kenya-suspends-worldcoin-scans-over-security-privacy-and-financial-concerns/

Worldcoin is a virtual currency project consisting of a digital ID 'World ID' and a digital currency 'WLD'. The official service started on July 25, 2023, incorporating a slightly unusual mechanism in which WLD is provided by scanning iris data with the biometric authentication device `` Orb '' installed around the world.

Virtual currency 'Worldcoin' by Sam Altman of OpenAI officially started service - GIGAZINE

Registration is done in 35 cities, and more than 500,000 people have newly registered in the first week since the official service started. The total number of users is close to 3 million.

Kenya, along with France, Indonesia, Sudan and Chile, is one of the countries that has started pre-registering Worldcoin from 2021, and already has a large amount of WLD in circulation and trading.

However, on August 2, 2023, the Kenyan government decided to suspend the registration of Worldcoin.

According to news site The Standard, Home Secretary Kindiki Kisle said, 'Until the official body determines that there is no danger to the general public, 'Worldcoin' and Kenyans may be involved. We immediately stopped similar activities by the group.'

Also, if an ordinary person is involved in Worldcoin's activities, it is to be punished.

In Kenya, when a new registration is made to Worldcoin, a token equivalent to 7700 shillings (about 7700 yen) is issued, which is gaining popularity among the public, but how is the data acquired by the iris scan required at the time of registration The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner expressed concern about whether it would be used.