Kenya Court Orders Worldcoin to Delete Biometric Data Over Privacy Breach

The decision comes after the court found that the project violated citizens’ constitutional right to privacy.

The ruling, delivered Monday by Justice Aburili Roselyne, mandates that Worldcoin erase iris scans and facial images within seven days. The deletion must happen under the supervision of Kenya’s Data Protection Officer, according to Katiba Institute and ICJ Kenya, the organizations that filed the legal challenge.

Data Collection Declared Unlawful

The court also barred Worldcoin and its agents from collecting or processing any further biometric data in Kenya. In a critical move, the judge nullified the decision to begin data collection without first conducting a proper Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)—a legal requirement under Kenya’s privacy laws.

“The judgment rightly underscores that even in the digital age, constitutional rights—especially the right to privacy under Article 31—must be upheld,” ICJ Kenya said in a statement.

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A Major Setback for Worldcoin in Africa

Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has faced increasing scrutiny over its use of biometric data in exchange for cryptocurrency. In Kenya, the project gained attention for scanning users’ irises using its signature “Orb” device, sparking privacy concerns and government investigations.

The court’s ruling represents a significant legal blow to Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya, a key African market where it had seen rapid user growth.

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