Worldcoin’s Activities Shut Down In Kenya, Ordered Data Deletion
A High Court verdict issued on Monday, May 5, ordered the Worldcoin Foundation to remove iris and face data obtained from Kenyans within seven days, under the supervision of the Data Protection Commissioner.
“An order of Mandamus compelling the Worldcoin Foundation and its agents to permanently delete (under the supervision of the Data Protection Commissioner) within seven days any biometric data collected in Kenya without undertaking (or using an inadequate) Data Protection Impact Assessment contrary to section 31 of the Data Protection Act, 2019 and by consent obtained through inducement of a cryptocurrency—Worldcoin,” the orders read.
This is just one of three judgments given by Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne, who declared that Worldcoin’s operations violated Kenyans’ right to privacy.
Another restriction order was issued, requiring the Worldcoin Foundation and its agents to desist from further processing, collecting, or dealing with biometric data.
A Certiorari order quashing the Worldcoin Foundation’s and its agents’ decision to collect or process biometric data in Kenya was also issued.
WorldCoin Case Judgment: The Court affirmed that WorldCoin commenced data collection without valid consent from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) and without conducting the required DPIA, in breach of Sections 25, 26, 29, 30, and 31 of the Data Protection Act,… pic.twitter.com/JwmwTn5CJd
— ICJ Kenya (@ICJKenya) May 5, 2025
The Katiba Institute filed an application against the Worldcoin Foundation, challenging the collecting, processing, and transfer of biometric data via the Worldcoin App and the Orb.
“Today, Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne has allowed our Judicial Review Application, where we challenged the collection, processing, and transfer of iris and facial images (biometric data)using the World Coin App and the Orb against the Worldcoin Foundation,” Katiba Institute wrote.
In 2023, people flocked to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to get their data collected by the cryptocurrency startup, which promised Ksh7,000.
The government halted the program days later due to security concerns when significant numbers of Kenyans turned up in the Central Business District to have their eyes and faces checked.
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Despite being suspended in Kenya, Worldcoin developer Tools for Humanity declared in June 2024 that it will continue operations there.
This came after Renson Ingonga, Director of Public Prosecutions, decided to close the case.
“We will continue working with the government of Kenya and others and we hope to resume World ID registration across the country soon,” he added.
After months of investigation, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) asked the company to consider business registration services in liaison with the Registrar of Business Registry if it decides to continue operations in the country.
Worldcoin’s Activities Shut Down In Kenya, Ordered Data Deletion
