Worldcoin to Erase Biometric Data in Kenya Under ODPC Supervision

The Kenyan High Court has ruled that Worldcoin’s collection of biometric data from Kenyans was unconstitutional due to its failure to carry out a Data Protection Impact Assessment.

In an affidavit, Deputy Data Commissioner Oscar Otieno said that having reviewed the Worldcoin project operations in the country, he was satisfied that it is not safe for Kenyans.

Worldcoin was also ordered to permanently delete the unlawfully collected data under the supervision of the ODPC within 7 days, and the revocation of the Respondents’ data processing certificate.

The International Commission of Jurists – Kenyan Section (ICJ Kenya) welcomed the ruling. In a statement, ICJ Kenya Chairperson Protas Saende lauded the judgment by Lady Justice Roselyne Aburili, describing it as an affirmation of the right to privacy in the digital era.

“The judgment rightly underscores that even in the digital age, constitutional rights, especially the right to privacy under Article 31 of the Constitution, must be upheld. This ruling is a powerful precedent not just for Kenya, but globally, affirming that rights must remain paramount in technological innovation,” said Saende.

The Court also prohibited the company from further processing such data without conducting an adequate Data Protection Impact Assessment or obtaining valid consent.

In 2023, the Kenyan government suspended activities of the cryptocurrency project pending the conclusion of inquiries aimed at establishing the safety of the data being harvested. It also raided a Worldcoin warehouse and seized equipment due to an investigation into the company’s operations and data collection practices.