The Office of Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) ordered Worldcoin to stop the collection of people’s personal data via its parent company in May.
A letter was sent to Tools for Humanity by the ODPC instructing Worldcoin to stop iris scans and the collection of facial recognition from Kenyans. The company, however, did not stop the collection of personal and biometric data.
Within the letter, they were directed against taking biometric data without any compelling or well-established justification for it. According to the OPDC, the start-up was intruding on a person’s privacy by collecting the information. In addition to that, the letter pointed out that the start-up had not obtained valid consent from people before scanning their iris. They failed to tell the people the reason for collecting their personal data and how that data would be used.
“Your client is hereby instructed to cease the collection of all facial recognition data and iris scans, from your subscribers. This cessation should be implemented without delay and include all ongoing and future processing activities,” read the letter.
The details of the letter emerged after a motion was filed to the High Court by the data protection authority which led to the suspension of all their activities.
Earlier this month, Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and Administration suspended the startup following its official launch. During its launch, the start-up mentioned that all who sign up would get 25 world coins which would be equivalent to approximately Ksh 7,000. This information led to an influx in the number of people queuing to get their iris’ scanned and free money.
Worldcoin Start-up in Kenya
The high court has barred the start-up from collecting personal data and directed it to preserve all information it collected between April 19 and August 8. On August 2, Kithure Kindiki, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Administration suspended their activities. He said that the suspension would remain in place until authorities determine the absence of any risk to the public.
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Kenya was one of the countries where the start-up launched its sign-ups. Prior to the announcement of free money, Kenyans were not willing to sign up or get their iris scanned. Some engaged due to annoyance by the salespeople in the company, but few engaged due to the opportunity to maximise a new venture as early as then.
After the announcement of free Worldcoins which would be converted to dollars on Crypto and then later changed to Kenyan Shillings through brokers, Kenyans flocked to the sign-up spots. So much so that they attracted the attention of authorities.
The line made at KICC led to the involvement of the government which led to people being sent back home and world coin being asked to find a larger space to carry out their sign-ups.
Worldcoin is a start-up by Sam Altman. He claims that the start-up could be used to create a new “human identity and financial network,” He further stated that the start-up would be the first crypto to include people from disadvantaged communities and give them the ability to engage in crypto.
Read Also: Worldcoin Under Investigation for Operating Illegally in Kenya
