Worldcoin Resumes Operations in Kenya After Probe Closure

• Kenya’s DCI cleared Worldcoin, allowing it to resume operations, pending proper registration and data protection compliance.
• Worldcoin must register with Kenya’s Registrar of Business Registry and obtain necessary licenses to restart operations.
• Worldcoin’s iris scan program, offering digital IDs and WLD tokens, gained popularity despite prior regulatory scrutiny.

Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has closed its investigation into Worldcoin, the controversial crypto project. DCI director Hillary Mutai signed a June 14 letter stating that the department conducted a thorough investigation into various allegations. These included claims of illegal gathering and transfer of sensitive personal data. The letter stated that the results were then forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for impartial assessment and direction. The Director of Public Prosecutions agreed after reviewing the matter and ordered its closure without additional police action.

Worldcoin Gets Green Light to Restart in Kenya

Mutai indicated that Worldcoin can now resume operations in the country. However, it must follow certain steps. First, Worldcoin must properly register the business with the country’s Registrar of Business Registry. Additionally, the project should coordinate with the Data Protection Commission to obtain the necessary licenses. Moreover, Worldcoin must ensure all its third-party vendors within the country are thoroughly vetted and legally contracted.

“We are grateful for the DCI’s fair investigation and for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ determination to close the matter,” Thomas Scott, chief legal officer of Tools for Humanity, said in a statement. “This welcome result is, however, not an end but a beginning,” Scott said Worldcoin hopes to resume World ID registration across the country soon.

Kenyan Enrollment in Worldcoin Surged Before Program Suspension

Kenyan authorities suspended Worldcoin’s operations in August 2023. They were concerned about its data collection practices. They specifically questioned whether the data was legally obtained and how it was being used. At the time, Worldcoin’s iris scanning program had already drawn regulatory scrutiny elsewhere. This was before Kenya raised concerns.

Worldcoin offers a unique digital ID system called World ID. It uses iris scans to verify users are human, not AI bots. Participating jurisdictions reward enrollment with its cryptocurrency, WLD. Before the suspension, Kenyan citizens eagerly enrolled in Worldcoin’s program. Worldcoin’s ID verification service in Kenya became so popular that queues stretched for three days.

Worldcoin’s clearance by the DCI and the Director of Public Prosecutions marks a Major achievement. It highlights the importance of regulatory compliance and thorough investigation. Besides, it sets a precedent for other crypto projects in Kenya. Hence, with the necessary licenses and proper business registration, Worldcoin is poised to make a comeback. Consequently, it can now focus on resuming its operations and expanding its digital ID system.