Nairobi, Kenya A growing controversy has engulfed the cryptocurrency project Worldcoin as concerns over health issues related to its eye-scanning orbs have taken center stage in Kenya. Members of the Kenyan Parliament, including MP Shakeel Shabir, have raised alarms about the use of infra-red light in Worldcoin’s unique verification process, which offers digital coins in exchange for a scan of users’ eyeballs.
The controversy surrounding Worldcoin deepened last month when the project was ordered to halt its operations in Kenya pending an investigation into data privacy concerns. As the parliamentary probe delved into the issue, MP Shakeel Shabir took the opportunity to express the health concerns brought to his attention by constituents.
“I have five cases who have written to me, who claim that after this scan, they felt great discomfort. Their eyes were hurting,” stated Shabir during the parliamentary session.
Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha, appearing before the parliamentary committee on Thursday, responded to these concerns. She emphasized that the infra-red light used by Worldcoin’s eye-scanning orbs had not undergone testing in Kenya as a health device. Nakhumicha urged Kenyans who may have experienced health issues following the scans to seek medical assistance.
The results of a Kenyan forensic analysis of Worldcoin’s orb are anticipated to be released next week, shedding further light on the potential health risks associated with the technology.
In response to these claims, the Worldcoin Foundation defended its practices. They argued that biometrics, including iris and facial scanning, are widely used across the world by private companies, health organizations, and governments. Worldcoin maintains that their verification process is no different when it comes to safety.
“More than two million people around the world have registered with Worldcoin. We have not received any reports of health issues following the orb-enabled proof of humanness verification process,” stated the Worldcoin Foundation in a press release.
Tools For Humanity, the company responsible for developing the orbs used by Worldcoin, also issued a statement on social media, asserting that their device “complies with international standard specifications.”
The controversy surrounding Worldcoin’s eye-scanning technology continues to raise important questions about the safety and ethical implications of emerging technologies in the cryptocurrency industry. As Kenyan authorities await the results of their investigation, the global debate over privacy, security, and health concerns in the digital age shows no signs of abating.
Would you like to get published on this Website? You can now email us an Opinion, any breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest, articles, or any interesting videos at: [email protected]
