World Coin Saga. Some Kenyans who participated in a cryptocurrency project called Worldcoin are regretting their decision, as they claim to have suffered eye problems and payment issues after scanning their irises with a device called Orb. Worldcoin is a global identity network that aims to provide universal access to the global economy by giving people a digital identity and a cryptocurrency token in exchange for their iris scans.
According to Tuko.co.ke, some of the participants reported that their eyes became watery and their vision blurred after the scan. They also said that they did not receive the promised amount of KSh 7,000, but only KSh 2,000 or less. Some of them said that they were not informed about the risks and benefits of the project before they agreed to scan their irises.
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The project has also attracted the attention of the Kenyan government, which has suspended it in the country pending investigations.
According to The Star, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner had ordered Worldcoin to stop collecting personal data in Kenya, but Worldcoin did not comply. The government has also raised concerns about the security, privacy and financial implications of the project.
Read also Kenya Suspends World Coin Project Over Data Privacy Concerns
Worldcoin is a project founded by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, Max Novendstern, and Alex Blania, and is backed by VC Andreessen Horowitz. It launched out of beta on July 24, 2023, and has onboarded about two million users in 20 countries so far. However, it has also faced criticism and controversy for its data collection methods and its value proposition.
Worldcoin has not yet responded to the suspension or the allegations from Kenya. It remains to be seen how this will affect its future plans and reputation in other markets.
