Worldcoin (WLD) in Deep Trouble As Kenya Declares Activities Illegal
The post Worldcoin (WLD) in Deep Trouble As Kenya Declares Activities Illegal appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
ChatGPT founder Sam Altman’s crypto project Worldcoin (WLD) is in troubled waters. A Kenyan High Court has declared the activities of the Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Foundation illegal and ordered the deletion of biometric data collected from Kenyans. The ruling, issued on May 5, 2025, comes just one day after Indonesia suspended the project for regulatory violations. Kenya Court Orders Worldcoin Data Deletion Within Seven Days Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne delivered three orders against Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Foundation, citing violations of Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019. The Court directed the foundation to delete all iris and facial biometric data collected from Kenyans. The Data Protection Commissioner has been tasked with overseeing the process, which must be completed within seven days. The Court ruled that the data was collected without a valid Data Protection Impact Assessment. It also found the consent was not lawful, as it was obtained through financial inducements involving Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency. The ruling stated, “An order of Mandamus compelling the Worldcoin Foundation and its agents to permanently delete (under the supervision of the Data Protection Commissioner) within seven days any biometric data collected in Kenya.” Another order prohibited the foundation and its agents from collecting, processing, or handling any biometric data in the country. A third order canceled any prior decisions allowing the company to collect or process such data. However, despite this sanction, Worldcoin has recently made a bullish move by introducing WLD ID in US amid Coinbase’s plan to list the token. Legal Challenge Led by Katiba Institute The Court’s decision follows a legal challenge filed by the Katiba Institute, a Kenyan civil society organization. The group questioned the legality of Sam Altman’s Worldcoin data collection practices using its digital app and biometric Orb devices. They argued that the foundation failed to comply with privacy protections outlined…
Filed under: News - @ May 6, 2025 4:24 am