Kenya’s High Court has ordered Worldcoin, the global identity project led by Sam Altman, to delete all biometric data it collected from Kenyan citizens within seven days.
The court ruled that Worldcoin collected eye scans and personal data from Kenyans without proper approval from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), which is required under Kenyan law.
Worldcoin is a US-based Web3 project that aims to create a “World ID”—a digital identity system that proves you’re a real person online. To do this, it scans your iris (eye) using a device called an Orb.
The project says its goal is to build a global financial network that includes everyone. In return for scanning, users receive a small amount of cryptocurrency.
The High Court said:
Worldcoin did not get clear consent from the Kenyan government to collect sensitive biometric data.
The way Worldcoin collected data violated privacy rights protected under Kenya’s Data Protection Act.
The project failed to properly inform users about how their data would be used, stored, or shared.
The court gave Worldcoin seven days to:
Permanently delete all biometric data collected in Kenya.
Stop all biometric data processing in the country.
Why Kenya Was Targeted
Kenya was one of Worldcoin’s largest testing grounds in Africa. In 2023 and 2024, thousands of people lined up at malls and city centers to scan their eyes in exchange for cryptocurrency.
However, this led to:
Complaints of exploitation, especially of poor or uninformed citizens.
Investigations by the ODPC, which eventually suspended Worldcoin’s activities in Kenya in mid-2024.
Global criticism of the project’s ethics, especially in developing countries.
Reactions So Far
Sam Altman and the Worldcoin Foundation have not yet responded to the ruling.
Kenya’s Data Commissioner welcomed the ruling as a win for data protection and consumer rights.
Privacy advocates say this could set an example for other African countries dealing with similar foreign tech experiments.
Why This Matters Globally
This court decision sends a clear message that developing countries are ready to stand up for data rights and demand tech accountability. As biometric data becomes more common in digital identity projects, the need for transparency and legal consent is more urgent than ever.
“Consent must be meaningful. No one should give up their privacy for a few tokens,” said a Nairobi-based digital rights lawyer.
