The decision has come amid the increasing concern about data protection and privacy violations by Worldcoin in Kenya.
Not only Kenya, but the project is facing backlash from many countries because of its iris scan program. The High Court of Kenya has recently ordered Sam Altman to delete the biometric data gathered by the Worldcoin project within one week. On Monday, Lady Justice Aburili ordered in an open court that Worldcoin Foundation and its officials delete the biometric data permanently collected in Kenya.
The counsel for a Kenyan NGO, Katiba Institute, Joshua Malidzo Nyawa, asserted that Justice Aburili has given a progressive decision by revoking the idea of Worldcoin Foundation to accumulate biometric data without complying with privacy measures. He further added that the decision is a win for the right to privacy in the country. He further posted on X that the right to privacy is a constitutional right, and the breach can rise by failing to comply with public rules such as doing a data privacy impact assessment.
Increasing concern about data protection
The decision has come amid the increasing concern about data protection and privacy violations by Worldcoin in Kenya. The Katiba Institute states that the Worldcoin Foundation was responsible for the collection, handling, and processing of biometric data. Reportedly, the firm didn’t undertake the Data Protection Impact Assessment. As per the Kenyan law, the company initiated the process without valid consent. Two years ago, Kenya interrupted Worldcoin operations and scrutinized the firm for gathering public data illegally.
The project got highlighted after people got highly interested in Worldcoin’s Orb, where iris scans were taken to distinguish between an AI bot and a real human. Adding more to this, an official of Kenya called the project a gang of criminals that harvests data from young people. Not only Kenya, but the project is facing backlash from many countries because of its iris scan program. The project was able to gather over 1 billion US dollars in investments from various heavyweight firms and investors.
The co-founder of LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman, Andreesen Horowitz, and the venture capital arm of Coinbase.
