Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency initiative known for its iris-scanning identification system, has been given permission to resume operations in Kenya after a year-long government probe [71b7bd26]. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya has closed the investigation with no further police action, but has requested that Worldcoin register the business officially and obtain the necessary licenses [71b7bd26].
Worldcoin's enrollment in Kenya was suspended last year due to concerns over security, financial services, and data protection. The parliamentary committee in Kenya had recommended shutting down Worldcoin altogether, but it is unclear what impact this recommendation will have [71b7bd26].
Worldcoin is still facing investigations in other countries, including Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy [71b7bd26]. The expansion of Worldcoin in Argentina has also faced legal investigations and accusations of violating data privacy laws in the country [cd108eea].
Despite these challenges, Worldcoin continues to attract global participants, with approximately 4.5 million users worldwide. The WLD token has seen a significant increase in value, rising by 24% over the previous month [43371a6e].
Worldcoin has recently met with Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to address concerns about privacy and personal data. The collaboration between Worldcoin and the Malaysian government aimed to foster cooperation and responsible innovation between technological projects and state authorities. The Malaysian government expressed cautious interest in the project, emphasizing the need for careful regulation [9f03ab9e].
Worldcoin has implemented measures such as the launch of 'Personal Custody' to reassure users and regulators about data protection. The Malaysian government's cautious interest in the project highlights the importance of addressing privacy concerns and ensuring data protection in the development of new technologies. Worldcoin's efforts to engage with government leaders and address regulatory concerns demonstrate a commitment to transparency and responsible data practices [9f03ab9e].
Worldcoin has also introduced a biometric data deletion feature, allowing users to permanently erase their biometric data. This update gives users more control over their personal information and addresses concerns about data privacy and control. By deleting their iris code, users can render their World ID invalid. The implementation of this feature is the result of collaboration with third-party privacy and security experts and has been assessed by data protection authorities, including the Bavarian State Data Protection Supervisory Authority (BayLDA) [8897ecb4] [43371a6e].
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expressed support for Worldcoin's privacy protections. The project aims to provide anonymity and financial inclusion to unbanked individuals [0ac5c134].