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More updates.The reason for posting this information here is to create a lasting record on the mailing list. This represents positive progress resulting from previous year-long discussions on the KICTANet list. These discussions have been instrumental in shaping a strong regulatory framework, identifying deficiencies in current systems, and ensuring that Kenyan laws and independent commissions fulfill their obligations as mandated by the law.Joint statement on operations of Worldcoin in Kenya by Communications Authority of Kenya, and Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. https://twitter.com/ODPC_KE/status/1686724066923700224
Nairobi, 2nd August 2023
Since the launch of the Worldcoin operations in Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) have undertaken a preliminary review and noted a number of legitimate regulatory concerns that require urgent attention.
The issues include:
1. Lack of clarity on the security and storage of the collected sensitive data (facial recognition and iris scans).
2. Obtaining consumer (data subject) consent in exchange for monetary reward which borders on inducement.
3. Uncertainty regarding consumer protection on cryptocurrency and related ICT services.
4. Inadequate information on cybersecurity safeguards and standards.
5. Massive citizen data in the hands of private actors without an appropriate framework.
These issues require a comprehensive inquiry to enable regulators to advise stakeholders on appropriate measures to protect the public interest.
Arising from these preliminary observations, a multi-agency investigation is underway. Consequently, and as directed by the Government, the Worldcoin must cease its data collection activities in Kenya until f further notice.
The public is advised to take caution when providing personal data to private actors. In the meantime, anyone with relevant information or a complainant on Worldcoin should report through the following communication channels: incident@ke.cirt.go.ke and complaints@odpc.go.ke.
Signed;
Ezra Chiloba, Director General,
Communications Authority of Kenya.
Immaculate Kassait, MBS, Data Commissioner,
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.Best Regards,______________________Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva_______________________________________________On Wed, 2 Aug 2023 at 15:11, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com> wrote:COPIED:<Quote>Today the World Coin or WLD is trading for US$ 2.32 a coin and growing briskly. So why is Open AI affiliated Worldcoin giving away free WLD25?
In the crypto world we call it an airdrop.
As in we don't have anything to give you for signing up apart from this. Not worth much but it will help you know how to trade our currency. It helps the cryptocurrency have critical mass to reach production quickly. By production I mean mass adoption and usage.
What if the 350,000 Kenyans were to keep their free WLD25 tokens and the WLD spikes in demand, and maybe even reaches the level of Ethereum (US$1,859) in a couple of months, wouldn't it be a good thing that a lot of Kenyans hold crypto wealth that can easily be converted to local currency? With my 25 WLD I'd be KES 264,000 richer. A visionary government would see that. A short sighted government doesn't
A long time ago when I was young, handsome and naive, the Bitcoin (BTC) used to be free. I held 5 BTC at the time and they meant nothing to me. We couldn't trade them or transfer them. It was a token of appreciation for acquiring them.
Many years later one Bitcoin (BTC) is going for 4.5 million shillings on the cryptocurrency exchange. At some point it went to as much as 20 million shillings. Smart buyers like CS Joe Mucheru bought or acquired them for free when they were free. Or acquired them on the cheap during that time and held onto them. And only sold when he became a CS.
Massive wealth for Kenya is going to waste, just because a clueless CS is pronounced on issues they don't know. Other markets will snap up the coins and Kenya will be the loser. We've lost an opportunity to make free capital out of an emerging currency. Cryptocurrency is the future of trading.
And ooh, my BTC was stolen. We didn't value them then 😞😞😞😞. This time round I have the WLD for free, not selling.
Ends</Quote>On Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 2:40 PM Mwendwa Kivuva via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has also issued an advisory. “ hereby notify the public that Worldcoin is not regulated … The public is further advised to be wary of potential fraudulent schemes that may emerge in the over-the-counter market of crypto tokens.”Perhaps it is time for CMA and Central Bank to review the Blockchain and AI task force report and give proper guidelines and regulations for cryptocurrencies and related emerging technologies. There is a lot of potential in both sides - being salty adopters and benefiting from the technology, but also in being scammed by buying or investing in useless tokens. This has happened in the past where punters have lost a lot of money.In the same breath, we have other three different pronouncements for and against Worldcoin from policy level executives. Ministry of Interior says “ Relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities, the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data," … "Further, it will be critical that assurances of public safety and the integrity of the financial transactions involving such a large number of citizens be satisfactorily provided upfront." https://www.citizen.digital/news/government-suspends-activities-of-worldcoin-citing-safety-concerns-n324708Meanwhile, the CS ICT Hon Owalo agrees there are security concerns around how the data is collected, but he is quoted as saying Worldcoin is acting within the law. “ Information available to the Data Commissioner is that within the existing legal frameworks is that there is no provision in the law that the organisation has breached. There has been correspondence with them. There could be security and regulatory issues around it which we need to improve, but as far as the Data Act is concerned, they were acting within the law”Lastly, the Foreign Affairs CS Dr. Alfred Mutua opined “Let us all support the stoppage of Kenyans being used as Guinea Pigs & their data being harvested … you have to ask yourself why your eyes are being scanned and information gathered. What does it mean and what will it mean to you and your offsprings?”It remains to be seen how the two government agencies will bridge the differences and if Worldcoin will drive the wedge further and expose the “one government approach” underbelly.--On Wed, 2 Aug 2023 at 10:37, Grace Githaiga via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:_______________________________________________GOVERNMENT SUSPENDS collection of personal data from Kenyans by Worldcoin until all security concerns are addressed, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki says.On Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 9:18 AM Grace Githaiga via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:_______________________________________________You make a point Eshuchi. Yesterday, I was in a meeting with some organisations working at the grassroots and this gentleman from Marsabit asked my opinion on this issue. I did not realise the discussion already iko "kwa ground" and there are concerns on data protection. I threw back the question and asked him what his response would be. He pointed out that wananchi need to know what that data will be used for before they can give it to a foreign organisation.
I have also been asked why there has not been any pushback from the stakeholders "and wondering who protects Kenyans from digital theft". My response is that we saw this matter raised here last year (by Kivuva) but really there was no response. He followed the matter again recently (the reason why we have this debate here) and also shared an advisory from the ODPC.
Please see this tweet from the CAS on the matter. https://twitter.com/OleItumbi/status/1686343173805596673?s=20
It is clear that there needs to be a discussion on this matter to set the record straight. In the meantime, Worldcoin already is holding a lot of data from wananchi. What next?RgdsGG----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grace Githaiga
Twitter: @ggithaiga
Skype: gracegithaiga
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
...the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack Obama.
From: Eshuchi Richard via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: 02 August 2023 7:11 AM
To: Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com>
Cc: Eshuchi Richard <eshuchi.richard@gmail.com>
Subject: [kictanet] Re: Worldcoin tokens (WLD)On the flip side, the laid back attitude from professionals speaks volumes.
‘It is ok for private business enterprises to handle personal data, but govt is where a line is drawn with all manner of rejection and speculation kosokoso’
--
On Tue, 1 Aug 2023 at 17:44, Shitemi Khamadi via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Good afternoon Lydia
For many who are enrolling, I believe privacy and data protection are potentially alien to them. And while I believe they are core, many people plainly don't care. They are the masses. Mark Kaigwa did a thread for perspective - https://twitter.com/MKaigwa/status/1684883744602099712?t=roAfKHV-MhiY6KsfeUJGCw&s=08
But I would like to believe that they registered with ODPC.
Kind Regards
On Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 4:09 PM Lydia gachungi via KICTANet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
What is this Worldcoin tokens (WLD)?_______________________________________________
Are Issues of privacy, data protection taken into account as Kenyans flock to be registered?
I am lost on what the objective is and the benefits
Lydia
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Regards,Eshuchi Richard
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_______________________________________________Best Regards,______________________Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
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--Best regards,
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+254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223
"Oh, the cruft.", egrep -v '^$|^.*#' ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :-)[How to ask smart questions: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html]
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