In a landmark decision highlighting growing concerns over digital privacy, the Kenyan High Court has ordered Worldcoin to delete all data it collected in the country.
The project, which was co-founded by Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI and Alex Blanca saw users flock to its orbs across different parts of the country to be issued with the tokens worth about Ksh.7,000 ($45). However, users were only issued with the tokens once they approved that they’re actually humans and not robots by getting their eye’s unique iris pattern scanned.
The ruling follows mounting concerns over data protection and privacy violations by the firm, which had earlier led to the suspension of Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya in August 2023.
At the time, the Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki stated that the government was concerned about the project and had initiated investigations to determine the safety and protection of the data being harvested, as well as how the harvesters planned to use the data.
WorldCoin responded to the suspension by halting its operations in the country, stating that it was dedicated to following all relevant legislation set forth by Kenyan authorities, ensuring a safe and compliant ecosystem.
‘’In line with Kenyan laws and regulations, WorldCoin ensures full compliance and transparency in all its activities within the country. The project is committed to fostering a constructive dialogue with local stakeholders, including the government and relevant authorities, to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial partnership,’’ it said.
Despite these concerns, Kenya still emerged as the top country showing interest in Worldcoin, according to CoinJournal research released in February last year, which examined Google Trends data. The data indicates a remarkable level of interest from Kenyan users, far surpassing that of other countries.
Kenya led the pack with a Google Trends score of 100, showcasing a fervent curiosity and engagement with Worldcoin and its associated initiatives.
The Court, in a ruling made on Monday, also prohibited the company from further processing such data without conducting an adequate Data Protection Impact Assessment or obtaining valid consent.
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
