Worldcoin, the decentralised digital identification project co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, is in advanced talks with the Kenyan government to recommence its operations under new guidelines, local reports say. The controversial blockchain project was suspended in Kenya on August 2 over data security and privacy. But 2024 may come with fresh WorldID registrations in Kenyan malls.

The probable resumption comes after extensive discussions between Worldcoin and Kenyan regulators, aiming to address the government's concerns and align with potential new regulations. The source, who spoke anonymously due to fears of reprisal, confirmed that the crypto stipends would continue. Kenyan lawmakers had previously pointed out the incentivisation for data collection as one of the project's flaws. In September, the ICT regulator suggested revamping laws, maintaining that gaps in the law allowed for issues like those Worldcoin posed.

Worldcoin faced scrutiny over its unique verification process, which involved scanning users' irises through an Orb to obtain a digital identity called World ID. The project distributed 25 free cryptocurrency tokens, known as WLD, to new members after verification. In August, the Kenyan government halted all activities related to Worldcoin, confiscating some of the organisations’ equipment and demanding assurances of data security.

Following the suspension, Alex Blania, Worldcoin's CEO, and co-founder Sam Altman expressed optimism about resuming operations in Kenya, claiming the pause was to “work with local regulators to address their questions.”

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had earlier stated that the government was conducting a forensic analysis of the hardware components used for data collection, emphasising the need for compliance with Kenyan regulations. Kindiki stressed the importance of protecting citizen data as a matter of sovereignty.

Worldcoin, despite the hurdles, reported over 635,000 Kenyan downloads of its crypto app by early September. If its activities were to continue in 2024, the numbers could surge to unprecedented levels, experts say. Aside from being the foremost East African crypto market, Kenya’s economic troubles will drive a robust demand for free WLD tokens, which, at the previous distribution was worth over 8,000 Kenyan shillings—about 60% of the minimum wage.

Worldcoin’s resumption may coincide with a similar digital identity project by the Kenyan government. NODO reported last month that Kenyans would soon be able to authenticate their identities through iris and fingerprint scans. This imminent national digital ID project will be accompanied by the Maisha Namba, a unique personal identification number assigned to Kenyans

Image source: BBC