Kenya Court Orders Worldcoin to Delete Biometric Data Over Privacy Breach
The decision comes after the court found that the project violated citizens constitutional right to privacy.
The ruling, delivered Monday by Justice Aburili Roselyne, mandates that Worldcoin erase iris scans and facial images within seven days. The deletion must happen under the supervision of Kenyas Data Protection Officer, according to Katiba Institute and ICJ Kenya, the organizations that filed the legal challenge.
Data Collection Declared Unlawful
The court also barred Worldcoin and its agents from collecting or processing any further biometric data in Kenya. In a critical move, the judge nullified the decision to begin data collection without first conducting a proper Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)a legal requirement under Kenyas privacy laws.
The judgment rightly underscores that even in the digital age, constitutional rightsespecially the right to privacy under Article 31must be upheld, ICJ Kenya said in a statement.
A Major Setback for Worldcoin in Africa
Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has faced increasing scrutiny over its use of biometric data in exchange for cryptocurrency. In Kenya, the project gained attention for scanning users irises using its signature Orb device, sparking privacy concerns and government investigations.
The courts ruling represents a significant legal blow to Worldcoins operations in Kenya, a key African market where it had seen rapid user growth.
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