- Worldcoin has erased all iris data collected from Kenyans in 2023
- The deletion followed a High Court ruling declaring the data collection illegal
- The process was supervised and confirmed by the Data Protection Office
- Authorities raised concerns over consent, safety, and inducement
Worldcoin has fully removed all biometric data gathered from Kenyans during its 2023 operations, bringing to a close a heated legal and public debate around privacy and technology.
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) confirmed on January 20, 2026, that the deletion was completed and verified under its supervision, in line with a High Court directive issued last year.
The issue traces back to mid-2023 when Worldcoin launched operations in Kenya. The project, run by Tools for Humanity and linked to OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, introduced metallic “Orb” devices that scanned people’s eyes.
The scanners were set up in busy public places across Nairobi, Mombasa, and other towns. Thousands of Kenyans lined up to participate, each receiving 25 Worldcoin tokens, valued at about KSh 8,000 at the time.
Worldcoin said the scans were meant to create a digital identity known as “World ID,” designed to confirm that a user is a real human being.
The company argued that this system could help prevent fraud online and support future systems such as digital payments and income distribution as artificial intelligence continues to grow.
Soon after the rollout, concerns emerged over how the sensitive data was being handled. Privacy groups questioned whether participants fully understood what they were giving away.
Experts warned that iris data is permanent and cannot be changed, raising fears about long-term misuse, storage abroad, and access by third parties.
In August 2023, Kenyan authorities suspended Worldcoin’s activities. The ODPC and the Interior Ministry flagged serious gaps in how the data was collected and protected.
Civil rights groups, led by the Katiba Institute, went to court, arguing that Worldcoin failed to carry out proper data impact checks and used financial rewards to push people into giving consent.
In May 2025, the High Court ruled against Worldcoin. Justice John Chigiti found the 2023 data collection unlawful and said the token reward amounted to unfair inducement.
The court ordered the permanent deletion of all Kenyan iris data, to be done under strict supervision by the data protection office.
After initial resistance, Worldcoin agreed to follow the ruling. The ODPC later confirmed that the data had been completely and permanently erased.
Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait said the outcome was a major step in protecting the privacy rights of Kenyans in the digital age.
Katiba Institute welcomed the move, saying it proved that even powerful tech firms must respect Kenyan law.
However, some observers still question whether copies of the data could exist elsewhere. Worldcoin insists the deletion was total, while the ODPC says its checks were thorough.
Many Kenyans who took part say they joined out of curiosity or for quick cash. While some benefited from the tokens, others now say they regret sharing such personal information.
The case has sparked wider discussion about how foreign technology companies operate in Kenya, especially when dealing with biometric data.
With digital registration becoming more common, the ruling sends a clear message that innovation must follow the law.
Worldcoin continues operating in other countries under close watch. In Kenya, however, the Orbs are gone, and the data collected in 2023 has officially been wiped, a major win for privacy advocates.
