The peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading platform LocalBitcoins.com has ceased operations. Former users are urged to log into their accounts to verify balances and submit withdrawal requests for remaining assets. The company officially announced its closure on February 16, 2023. Founded in 2013 in Helsinki, Finland, LocalBitcoins Oy was a pioneer in peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading, establishing a lead over competitors like Paxful and Binance P2P in emerging markets such as Africa, Latin America, and Russia.

In related news, the High Court of Kenya has ordered the Worldcoin Foundation to delete all iris and facial data unlawfully collected from Kenyans in September 2023. This deletion must occur within seven days, supervised by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). Lady Justice Aburili Roselyne prohibited further biometric data processing or collection without a thorough Data Protection Impact Assessment and valid consent.

The court's ruling followed an application by the Katiba Institute, challenging the collection, processing, and transfer of biometric data via the Worldcoin App and Orb. The ODPC argued that Worldcoin's actions violated Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019, posing significant risks to Kenyans' privacy. The Worldcoin project, offering $50 USD for biometric data, was banned in Kenya due to privacy and data security concerns. Despite the ban, Worldcoin, led by Sam Altman, announced its return to Kenya in 2024.

The High Court found that Worldcoin used cryptocurrency worth KSh 7,000 to induce consent, rendering it invalid. Reactions from Kenyans were mixed, with some supporting the decision as a protection of privacy and others criticizing it. Kenya joins countries like Indonesia, Spain, and Hong Kong in suspending Worldcoin operations over data privacy and regulatory compliance concerns.

The High Court of Kenya ruled that Worldcoin's collection of iris and facial scans violated constitutional privacy rights, declaring its data practices illegal. Consequently, the court ordered the deletion of all biometric data collected from Kenyans within seven days under the supervision of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). The court found that Worldcoin failed to conduct a mandatory Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and used financial inducements,offering cryptocurrency worth KSh 7,000 to obtain consent, rendering it invalid.

Reactions from Kenyans highlight a tension between innovation and regulation, with significant implications for Kenya's tech ecosystem.

Kenya is now among several countries that have banned Worldcoin’s activities due to mounting global scrutiny over its data handling practices. On the same day, May 5, Indonesian authorities also announced the suspension of Worldcoin operations. Other nations, such as Spain and Hong Kong, have similarly paused the company's World ID programmes over privacy and regulatory concerns.