Kindiki Targets WorldCoin Tycoon
Wednesday, August 9th, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki urged foreign countries to extradite WorldCoin staff to record statements in Kenya after accusing them of data exploitation.
While appearing before Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary disclosed that those involved in Worldcoin activities will be required to record statements with local authorities and provide clarification on the obsession that saw Kenyans line up to have their eyes scanned for Ksh7,000.
Sam Altman, the owner of WorldCoin and a tech entrepreneur in the United States, as well as his co-founders Max Novendstern and Alex Blania, are among those the customer service representative indicated will be questioned if his request is granted.
“On our radar are all individuals of interest. Those within the nation have already recorded their statements, and we will also be requesting the surrender of those outside our territory so they can also record statements,” he explained.
The CS reaffirmed that he suspended WorldCoin’s operations in Kenya after discovering that the company had violated data laws.
However, intelligence indicated that its officials had visited Kenya a few months before the suspension to monitor the country’s progress, making them liable regardless of their direct involvement in the operation.
Kindiki wants the authorities to explain how they collected data from Kenyans without describing WorldCoin’s operations, how the data was protected, and how it will be used.
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Moreover, he disclosed that the government prohibited WordCoin employees, both local and foreign, from fleeing the country.
Kindiki added, “We are using our legal instruments to ensure that these individuals are held accountable.”
The CS added that investigations are being conducted to ensure that all those found culpable are held accountable, but reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm.
“I would like to inform the house and the nation that we believe crimes have been committed, crimes against the Data Protection Act, the privacy of Kenyan citizens, and the penal code. “All those found responsible will be held accountable, whether they are Kenyans or not,” the secretary of state promised.
However, the CS acknowledged that the government should have acted more quickly in handling the situation, as investigative agencies were taken off guard.
However, the ministry observed the activities for three days before taking action.
He clarified, “Generally speaking, security agencies do not interfere with business operations and daily activities unless there is a valid reason to do so.”
Kindiki Targets WorldCoin Tycoon
