Kenyan Court Halts WorldCoin's Biometric Data Collection, Orders Deletion
WorldCoin Foundation's operations in Kenya have been significantly impacted. The Kenyan High Court ruled against the organization's data collection activities, ordering the permanent deletion of biometric data obtained from Kenyan citizens. Despite this, Tools for Humanity, the developer behind WorldCoin, has expressed intentions to resume activities in the country.
The court's decision followed a legal challenge by the Katiba Institute, a constitutional advocacy organization. Justice Aburili presided over the case, emphasizing that WorldCoin's use of the Orb device and mobile app to collect, process, and transfer sensitive biometric data infringed on Kenyans' constitutional right to privacy. The court found that consent for data collection was improperly obtained through inducement with cryptocurrency tokens.
The ruling includes three major orders: a prohibition on further biometric data processing by WorldCoin in Kenya, a directive to delete previously gathered data within seven days under the supervision of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and an Order of Certiorari nullifying the foundation's previous decision to collect and process such data within the country. The court also cited that overwhelming turnouts at events like the one held in March 2023 at Nairobi's Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) raised significant public safety and security concerns, leading to the temporary halt of operations.
Despite the setback, WorldCoin developer, Tools for Humanity, has stated its intention to resume activities in Kenya. However, it remains unclear who within the organization is pushing for this, as the court's orders stand firm. The Kenyan government and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner will oversee the deletion of the collected data, ensuring compliance with the court's directive.
Read also:
- Regensburg Customs Crackdown Nets 40+ Violations in Hotel Industry
- Mural at blast site in CDMX commemorates Alicia Matías, sacrificing life for granddaughter's safety
- Germany Boosts EV Charging: 1,000 Fast-Charging Points on Motorways by 2026
- Albanese Invites LuLu Group to Australia as Free Trade Deal Takes Effect
