Worldcoin probe: Journalists denied access to committee meeting in Kenya

The most recent twist in the ongoing controversies surrounding Worldcoin, the decentralized digital identification project, occurred on Monday, September 4, when journalists were barred from entering the committee meeting. 

Privacy concerns arose from the scheduled testimony of the country’s Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, before the committee.  

Key details 

• According to a statement from the committee, Amin requested a closed-door session because the investigation into the matter was still ongoing, The Star reports.  
• Two individuals, identified as Worldcoin agents, were previously arrested by the DCI when the government suspended the project. 
• Ezra Chiloba, the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), informed the committee that the orb-like device used for eye scanning was currently undergoing forensic analysis.
• He mentioned that a report on this analysis would be sent to the committee later in the week. 

Key background 

• Kenyan parliament set up a 15-member committee in August to investigate the activities of the Worldcoin project after the government suspended its operations. 
• The committee was given 42 days to complete its investigations and send a report to the house.  
• Controversies arose between the cabinet secretary, Kindiki Kithure, and ICT counterpart, Eluid Owalo.
• While Owalo claimed Worldcoin complied with regulatory laws, Kithure moved for the suspension of the company’s activities.