The Kenyan High Court has issued an order restraining Sam Altman’s World (formerly Worldcoin) from processing, collecting or dealing in biometric data without undertaking a Data Protection Impact Assessment. The same order, which also barred World from luring users via issuing a cryptocurrency, suggested the organization’s activities contravened section 31 of the Data Protection Act.

The May 5 ruling is a victory for the Katiba Institute, an advocacy group championing the implementation of the Kenyan constitution. In August 2023, the group challenged World’s activities, including the transfer of iris and facial images using the Worldcoin app and Orbs. The Kenyan court ruling vindicates the Katiba Institute, which remained resolute in its opposition to World even as the Kenyan government appeared to tone down its rhetoric against the company.

As reported by Bitcoin.com News in 2023, Kenyan law enforcement pounced on World, forcing it to suspend operations after government officials claimed it was operating without a license. The closure of a police probe that followed the suspension of activities paved the way for World to resume operations.

However, the investigation was closed just under a year after the Katiba Institute’s judicial review application was approved by the Kenyan High Court.

According to the Katiba Institute, the order issued by Kenyan Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne on May 5 gives World a seven-day deadline to delete users’ data illegally obtained.

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 without undertaking (or using an inadequate) Data Protection Impact Assessment contrary to section 31 of the Data Protection Act, 2019 and by consent obtained through inducement of a cryptocurrency—Worldcoin.

The Kenyan High Court ruling, delivered just days after Indonesia tooks against the same company, amplifies the mounting global regulatory pressure on World. Indonesia’s government had declared World’s activities within its borders illegal due to alleged violations of electronic system implementation regulations, including operating without proper registration and using the license of another entity.

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