Investigations by Kenyan police against Worldcoin have been withdrawn, allowing the digital currency platform to restart its operations.
Worldcoin Resumes Operations in Kenya After Regulatory Compliance
Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project that collects biometric data from its users, has announced it will resume onboarding users across East Africa following a High Court ruling in May 2025. The company was previously suspended in Kenya amid security concerns and privacy violations.
The ruling mandated Worldcoin to delete all unlawfully collected biometric data, specifically iris scans, from Kenyan citizens. To comply, Worldcoin has adopted an updated system that allows World ID creation without the need for mandatory iris scans.
The resumption of Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya hinges on strict compliance with privacy safeguards, robust consent protocols, and transparent handling of biometric data. The company is now required to ensure explicit and lawful user consent for biometric data collection and compliance with strict privacy and data protection regulations aligned with Kenya’s legal framework.
Worldcoin may also undergo third-party audits to demonstrate transparency in data handling and security measures. These requirements aim to build trust with regulators and users and emphasize data sovereignty, user privacy, and lawful data practices.
Last year, Worldcoin went live in Nairobi, Kenya despite concerns about its privacy and the security of the data it collects from subscribers. The company's licenses were revoked, and a parliamentary committee recommended its shutdown, calling for legal action against it. The Kenyan Ministry of Interior suspended Worldcoin's activities, and an inter-agency investigation was launched against it.
It is unclear how Worldcoin has managed to overcome the concerns raised by the Kenyan government and avoid legal proceedings in Kenya. The new guidelines under which Worldcoin is now permitted to operate have not been made known yet.
Despite the challenges, Worldcoin's legal officer, Thomas Scott, has expressed gratitude to the Kenyan authorities. In a statement, Scott said, "We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya and are committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy and security in our operations."
In its first week alone, 350,000 Kenyans were scanned with Worldcoin's orbs and registered on the platform. The company's resumption in Kenya comes six months after an undisclosed government official said an agreement had been reached to allow Worldcoin to resume operations under new guidelines.
The Kenyan police have dropped all investigations against Worldcoin, and the police raids and confiscation of equipment have ceased. The Kenyan police communicated this to Worldcoin's attorneys in a letter dated June 14. The announcement was made by Reuters.
The resumption of Worldcoin's operations in Kenya marks a significant step for the company as it seeks to expand its reach in East Africa. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of data sovereignty, user privacy, and lawful data practices in the digital age.
- Worldcoin, having implemented an updated system for World ID creation without mandatory iris scans, is now compliant with strict privacy safeguards and data protection regulations in Kenya, allowing its resumption of operations in Africa, particularly East Africa, in the realm of crypto-finance, leveraging blockchain technology.
- In the regulatory landscape of Africa, Worldcoin's resumption of operations in Kenya is a testament to the importance of transparency in data handling and security measures, emphasizing data sovereignty, user privacy, and lawful data practices as crucial elements in the cryptocurrency and technology sectors.
