Global: Worldcoin Expands to Ecuador, Set to Resume Operations in Kenya and Portugal

Worldcoin, the digital identity and iris biometrics company owned by Tools for Humanity, has achieved a significant milestone in Kenya. Authorities have dropped their investigation into the company, which was previously suspended amid allegations of privacy violations and state security risks. According to Reuters, Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reviewed the case and, upon the Director of Public Prosecutions’ directive, decided to close the file with no further police action.

Thomas Scott, Chief Legal Officer at Tools for Humanity, expressed gratitude for the fair investigation and the decision to close the matter, allowing Worldcoin to resume collecting iris biometric scans from Kenyans in exchange for WLD cryptocurrency tokens. This development could influence other countries scrutinizing Worldcoin’s biometrics business, where concerns about communication, consent, and the collection of biometrics from minors have been raised.

Worldcoin Expands to Ecuador Amid Portuguese Operations Nearing Resumption

Despite regulatory challenges, Worldcoin is expanding its operations to new regions. The company has announced upcoming deployments in Ecuador, with verifications available at six locations across Guayaquil and Quito starting June 26 and 27, respectively. Ecuadorians will be able to scan their iris biometrics using Worldcoin’s spheroid Orb enrollment devices to obtain a World ID, referred to as “proof of humanness.”

Worldcoin has seen enthusiastic uptake in Latin America, with users in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Argentina, which is set to become its regional hub.

In Portugal, Worldcoin is rallying support as it nears the end of a regulatory pause. A recent 48-hour survey conducted among approximately 20,000 verified World ID holders in Portugal revealed strong support for the return of Worldcoin operations, with 90% of respondents in favor, though 7% were unsure. This comes as Portuguese data protection authorities had ordered a 90-day suspension of Worldcoin activities to assess the high risks posed to citizens’ data protection rights. This order will expire within the next two weeks.

Worldcoin’s commitment to user data security includes promises of personal data custody, encrypted biometrics, and zero-knowledge proofs. However, much of their statistical framing focuses on the global support for “proof of humanness,” emphasizing technology’s role in distinguishing humans from AI bots, like those powered by ChatGPT, created by Worldcoin co-founder Sam Altman.