Worldcoin Erases Kenyans’ Iris Data Following Government Suspension, Citing Privacy and Security Concerns Over Biometric Registrations

Tools For Humanity (TFH), the US and German-based company behind the Worldcoin cryptocurrency project, has permanently deleted all biometric data collected from Kenyans. The action follows government concerns over privacy and data security.

TFH, co-owned by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, entered Kenya in 2021. The company offered digital identities, known as World IDs, by scanning users’ irises with its signature orb devices. Thousands of Nairobi residents lined up to register, motivated in part by 25 complimentary bitcoin tokens, valued at around KSh 8,200 at the time.

The government suspended the registration exercise on August 2, 2023, citing the security risks of storing sensitive biometric data. Following a High Court order on May 5, 2025, TFH was instructed to permanently delete all Kenyan data. Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) confirmed the deletion on January 22, 2026, in a notice shared by the Katiba Institute. The ODPC did not disclose the exact amount of data collected.

“Regarding the processing of Kenyans’ personal data by Tools For Humanity, we confirm that the data controller has deleted all biometric data previously collected from Kenyan citizens,” the ODPC stated. The office emphasized its commitment to enforcing the law and holding data controllers accountable for any violations.

Worldcoin’s global objective was to strengthen the cryptocurrency market by issuing verified digital identities. The iris-based World ID confirmed that users are human, reducing fraud and enabling safe transactions. Before Kenya, TFH ran pilot programs in Chile, Indonesia, France, and Sudan. Countries such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Spain, and Portugal also halted similar registrations over privacy concerns.

Following Kenya’s suspension, Worldcoin issued an apology. CEO Alex Blania said the company was engaging authorities to resume registration safely. He also reassured the public that World ID prioritizes user privacy.

The Kenyan case highlights the challenges of biometric-based digital identity projects worldwide. It underscores the need to balance technological innovation with strong data protection, as regulators increasingly scrutinize the handling of sensitive personal information.