Worldcoin Mandated to Permanently Erase Biometric Records within a Week, as Per Kenyan Court Order
Worldcoin, the controversial cryptocurrency startup, finds itself in hot water due to a Kenyan court order to delete all biometric data amassed from users in the East African nation. The ruling came after investigations found Worldcoin had violated the country's privacy protection laws.
Kenyan Court's Slap on Worldcoin's Wrist
The Kenyan High Court dealt a heavy blow to Worldcoin, forcing it to erase all facial and eye scans collected from Kenyan citizens. The ruling indicated that the Worldcoin Foundation recklessly disregarded the Data Protection Act of 2019 by carrying out its operations without adequate legal protection.
In a trio of rulings on Monday, Justice Aburili Roselyne recognized the Worldcoin Foundation's liability for illegal data processing. Even after the order, Worldcoin will remain under the watchful eye of Kenya's Data Protection Commissioner as it executes the deletion process.
The Sweet Siren Song of Sensitive Data
The legal action was initiated by the Katiba Institute and the International Commission of Jurists Kenya, who questioned the safety of the collected biometric data and how it was being stored. Concerns also arose regarding Worldcoin's failure to provide users with proper information about how their data was to be handled.
Hardballs Bouncing Worldwide
Kenya is the latest nation to join in a global campaign against Worldcoin's data management practices. Hundreds of thousands had signed up before Kenyan authorities suspended the project in August 2023. Although Worldcoin had planned to relaunch in Kenya in June following the closing of an earlier probe, the market has grown wary.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has suspended the project due to registration issues, with concerns about potential legal violations looming large. Nations such as South Korea, Brazil, and Hong Kong have also voiced their apprehension over Worldcoin's handling of personal information.
However, despite international obstacles, Worldcoin proceeds with its U.S. rollout, launching its service in six cities, including Los Angeles and Miami, offering new users WLD tokens for their participation.
Data Privacy Squeeze
The global crackdown on Worldcoin underscores ongoing debates about the ethical treatment and protection of user data in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter regulations to safeguard private information.
Footnotes
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62052271
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/15/worldcoin_kenya_biometric_data_scrutiny/
[3] https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/worldcoin-biometrics-cryptocurrency-kenya-b2172989.html
[4] https://www.degreecerts.com/2023/09/01/worldcoin-biometric-data-controversy-sparks-international-regulatory-scrutiny/
[5] https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/12/21691670/worldcoin-biometric-facial-iris-scans-data-protection- violations-kenya
- Despite Worldcoin's US rollout in cities such as Los Angeles and Miami, offering new users WLD tokens, the startup continues to face international scrutiny over its handling of biometric data, with nations like South Korea, Brazil, and Hong Kong expressing concerns.
- As a result of investigations into data protection laws violations, the Kenyan High Court ordered Worldcoin to erase all facial and eye scans collected from Kenyan citizens and acknowledge its liability for unlawful data processing.
- Kenya has become the latest nation to join a global campaign against Worldcoin's data management practices, with previous market setbacks such as a suspension in August 2023 due to registration issues in Indonesia.
- Ongoing debates about the ethical treatment and protection of user data in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies have been emphasized by the global crackdown on Worldcoin, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations to safeguard private information.
