Kenya Ends Worldcoin Probe After 2021 Halt

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya has concluded an investigation into Worldcoin, the controversial cryptocurrency initiative suspended in the country last year.

DCI director Hillary Mutai signed a letter on June 14 indicating that the department conducted a comprehensive investigation into various allegations regarding Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya, including allegations of the illegal collection and transmission of sensitive personal data.

As indicated in the letter, the Director of Public Prosecutions was subsequently consulted regarding the findings.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions concurred and directed that the file be closed without any further police action after reviewing it,” it added.

Worldcoin Gets Green Light to Restart in Kenya

Mutai also stated that Worldcoin may resume operations in the country if it adheres to specific procedures. The business must be appropriately registered with the country’s Registrar of Business Registry.

As a second step, the initiative should collaborate with the Data Protection Commission to acquire the requisite licenses. Lastly, Worldcoin must guarantee that all its third-party vendors in the country are legally contracted and exhaustively vetted.

Thomas Scott, chief legal officer of Tools for Humanity, expressed his gratitude for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ commitment to resolving the matter and the DCI’s impartial investigation. “However, this pleasing outcome is not the conclusion; it marks the beginning.”

Scott expressed his optimism that Worldcoin will soon resume World ID registration nationwide.

Kenyan Enrollment in Worldcoin Surged Before Program Suspension

Kenyan authorities suspended Worldcoin’s operations in August 2023 due to concerns regarding its data acquisition practices. They specifically inquired about the legality of the data’s acquisition and its intended application.

Before Kenya raised concerns, Worldcoin’s iris recognition program had already been subject to regulatory scrutiny in other countries.

Worldcoin provides a distinctive digital ID system (World ID) that employs iris scans to confirm that users are humans rather than AI bots. Participating jurisdictions incentivize enrollment through the use of its cryptocurrency, WLD.

Kenyan citizens enthusiastically participated in Worldcoin’s program before its suspension. Kenya’s Worldcoin ID verification service was so popular that queues were extended for three days.