The Data Protection Commissioner Immaculate Kassait has revealed that the collection of personal data from Kenyans by the foreign company Worldcoin dates back to May 31, 2021.
Kassait made the revelation when she met the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on Tuesday.
She was summoned to explain the company’s activities, which raised concerns about the nature of the information they were gathering and for what purpose.
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According to the Data Commissioner, her office became aware in April 2022 of the Company’s activities of collecting sensitive personal data from residents of Kenya and transferring the same out of Kenya.
Due to this, the office wrote to the CEO of Worldcoin seeking answers on the legal basis of collection and transfer of personal data, as well as proof of consent for the same.
“From information submitted by Worldcoin under confidential letter dated May 6 2022, Worldcoin began data collection and processing activities in Kenya on or about May 31 2021. The purpose of this as indicated in registration application forms is Know Your Customer and Registration. “Said Commissioner Kassait.
However, she told the Committee that the office of the data Commissioner has commenced a multi-agency investigation to ascertain the proper position of the processing activities of Worldcoin.
In her submissions, the data Commissioner also told the legislators that her office has yet to establish the number of Kenyans who have signed up with Worldcoin.
The MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the responses given by the Commissioner, as she could not reveal the contact person between Kenya and Worldcoin, nor could she tell the company’s physical address.
The chairperson asked the Commissioner to submit more comprehensive responses to the MPs’ questions by the close of business on Friday.
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