Worldcoin, the eye-scan blockchain firm, has deleted all iris scan data collected from Kenyans, ending a legal battle that began in 2023, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) confirmed.
The company, operated locally by Tools for Humanity, had used metallic “Orb” devices to scan irises in exchange for 25 WLD tokens, worth roughly Sh8,000 each.
In a May 2025 ruling, the High Court found the collection of biometric data unlawful, citing a lack of proper privacy assessments and concerns over coerced consent. The court ordered that the data be permanently deleted under the supervision of the ODPC.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the ODPC confirmed that the erasure had been carried out.
“Regarding the processing of Kenyans’ personal data by Tools For Humanity, we can confirm that the Data Controller has all biometric data previously collected from Kenyan citizens,” the ODPC said.
Civil society organisations welcomed the development. Katiba Institute described it as “a landmark case demonstrating that no technology is above the law.”
Worldcoin first entered Kenya in mid-2023 but faced immediate scrutiny. In August that year, thousands of Kenyans queued at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to have their irises scanned. The scheme was briefly halted amid concerns over illegal data collection and potential transfer abroad.
The controversy led to an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which was later closed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
In June 2024, the DCI confirmed that “the chief prosecutor had directed the closure of the investigation file without further police action.” Tools for Humanity expressed relief at the conclusion.
“We are grateful for the DCI’s fair investigation and for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ determination to close the matter,” said Thomas Scott, Chief Legal Officer at Tools for Humanity.
Worldcoin’s project aimed to provide a verified digital identity system alongside cryptocurrency tokens and a wallet app. The system uses iris scans to create secure identification codes stored on a decentralised blockchain, which the company claims cannot be duplicated or used to commit fraud.
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