Kenya High Court Quashes Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Biometric Data, Cites Privacy Issues

The Kenyan High Court has ordered Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project to delete biometric data collected from citizens within 7 days.

The country’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) will supervise the deletion process, according to the case details.

Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne delivered the judgment on 5 May, in open court, ordering the Worldcoin Foundation and its agents to “permanently delete” any biometric data collected in Kenya.

“Justice Aburilii has delivered one of the most progressive decisions by quashing the decision of Woldcoin foundation to collect biometric data without complying with privacy safeguards,” said Joshua Malidzo Nyawa, counsel for a Kenyan NGO Katiba Institute, which brought the suit.

3. Right to privacy is a constitutional right and a violation can arise by failing to comply with procedural rules such as conducting a data privacy impact assessment.

Nyawa said that the ruling is “a win for the right to privacy in Kenya.”

“Right to privacy is a constitutional right, and a violation can arise by failing to comply with procedural rules such as conducting a data privacy impact assessment,” he wrote on X. “Consent issued after an inducement, monetary offers, and cryptocurrency is not free and is illegal.”

The court ruling comes as the firm faces mounting concerns over data protection and privacy violations in Kenya.

Per Katiba Institute, Worldcoin Foundation was involved in collecting, dealing and processing biometric data “without undertaking the Data Protection Impact Assessment.” Further, the process happened without valid consent, required under Kenyan law.

In August 2023, Kenya suspended Worldcoin operations and launched an investigation into the company for collecting public data unlawfully.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki said at the time that the Kenyan government would undertake all measures to ensure public safety and the integrity of the financial transactions.

The project came into light after people started gathering outside malls where iris scans were being taken through Worldcoin’s Orb.

Additionally, one Kenyan official called the project “a gang of criminals who are coming to harvest data from young people.”

The project is already facing regulatory backlash in many countries over its controversial iris scan program.

The crypto project has attracted more than USD 1bn in investments by several heavyweight companies and investors. These include Andreessen Horowitz, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and Coinbase’s venture capital arm.

However, despite its modest workforce, Worldcoin remains suspended in various countries. For instance, Indonesian regulators alleged that the blockchain project may have committed a “serious violation” of its regulations.

Per a recent report by a local news outlet, Indonesia suspended its operations “to prevent potential risks to the community.”

“Non-compliance with registration obligations and the use of the identity of another legal entity to carry out digital services is a serious violation,” said Director General of Digital Space Supervision, Alexander Sabar.

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