Police closes case on Worldcoin in Kenya

Police have concluded their investigation into Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency initiative by Tools for Humanity, potentially paving the way for its reinstatement in Kenya. This development came to light through correspondence from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to the company.

On May 21, 2024, the company’s legal representative wrote to the DCI seeking an update on the case. In response, a letter dated June 14, 2024, signed by Hilary Kimutai, conveyed that the DCI had thoroughly investigated various allegations concerning Worldcoin’s activities in Kenya between 2022 and 2023. These included accusations of improper collection and transfer of sensitive personal data.

“The investigation file was subsequently submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for independent review and guidance,” the letter explained. “Following their review, the Director of Public Prosecutions concurred and directed the closure of the file with no further police action.”

In advising Worldcoin on future operations in Kenya, the DCI recommended ensuring proper business registration through the Registrar of Business Registry. Additionally, they emphasized obtaining appropriate licenses and coordinating with the Office of the Data Protection Commission (ODPC) and the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK). The police further advised rigorous vetting and legal agreements with all local third-party vendors.

Worldcoin’s operations were halted in Kenya in August 2023 due to concerns regarding documentation. Thomas Scott, the company’s operations director, expressed appreciation for the outcome, stating, “We appreciate the fair investigation by the DCI and the determination of the Director of Public Prosecutions to close the matter. While this is a positive step, it marks a new beginning for us.”

Scott continued, “We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Kenya and others to resume World ID registrations nationwide soon. Today, our focus returns to advancing Worldcoin’s mission of enabling participation in the global economy.”

This development follows ongoing discussions between Worldcoin and Kenyan government officials aimed at restoring operations in the country.

Worldcoin was globally launched on June 24, 2023, but faced scrutiny over privacy and security concerns regarding biodata collected from Kenyans. The verification process involved scanning individuals’ irises through an Orb in exchange for a digital identity known as World ID. Initial registrants received 25 free cryptocurrency tokens (WLD), valued at Sh8,256 at the time.

Following the suspension of activities in Kenya, Tools for Humanity’s CEO, Alex Blania, announced a pause in World ID verifications to address government concerns. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki informed the Senate on September 14, 2023, of ongoing assessments of the hardware used by Tools for Humanity for data collection.

As of September 2023, Worldcoin reported that over 635,000 Kenyans had downloaded the crypto app, with 345,000 pending verification. Globally, the initiative claimed nearly 5 million World ID holders, with 2.6 million identities verified.

The project has since upgraded to World ID 2.0, enhancing its ability to differentiate between bots and verified human users online. The new version supports integrations with platforms such as Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram, Shopify, and Mercado Libre, aiming to broaden its utility.