Worldcoin set to restart operations in Kenya after police drop data collection investigation

Worldcoin is poised to recommence its activities in Kenya following the discontinuation of a police inquiry into accusations that the company was involved in the unauthorized gathering and exportation of user data. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya has issued a letter to Worldcoin’s legal representatives, stating that the investigation has been concluded without the need for further police intervention.

The DCI’s correspondence also advised Worldcoin to ensure compliance with local regulations by formally registering its business, securing the necessary permits, and conducting thorough background checks on its vendors to ensure responsible and prudent operations moving forward. The investigation by the DCI, which was carried out swiftly and impartially, examined various claims made in 2022 and 2023 regarding Worldcoin’s alleged illegal collection and distribution of sensitive personal data in Kenya.

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency initiative spearheaded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been engaged in the collection of biometric data, specifically by capturing images of individuals’ irises. In return for their participation, Kenyans were promised a monetary reward of Sh7,000 (approximately $52.83) and complimentary WorldCoin tokens.

Thomas Scott, the Chief Legal Officer of Tools for Humanity, Worldcoin’s parent company, commented on the recent developments, stating that this resolution marks not the end but the beginning of a new chapter. He expressed the company’s intention to maintain collaboration with the Kenyan government and indicated that Worldcoin is looking forward to resuming its World ID registration across the nation in the near future.

Worldcoin is set to redirect its efforts towards its core objective of fostering global economic participation, particularly in Kenya, following the resolution of a police investigation into its data collection practices. Thomas Scott, the Chief Legal Officer of Tools for Humanity, Worldcoin’s parent entity, expressed relief and readiness to concentrate on the company’s mission of creating avenues for Kenyans and others worldwide to engage with the international economy.

The cryptocurrency project faced significant scrutiny in August 2023 when the Kenyan Ministry of Interior and National Administration halted Worldcoin’s operations to evaluate potential threats to public safety. During the same period, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) initiated legal action aimed at preventing Worldcoin from processing or exporting data acquired from Kenyan citizens. This led to a police operation where officers raided a Worldcoin warehouse in Nairobi, confiscating equipment and documentation.

Despite diplomatic pressure from the United States in March 2024, with the US advocating for the legitimacy of Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya, the Kenyan government, represented by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, maintained its stance. The government reaffirmed its decision not to lift the suspension, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the interests and safety of its citizens.