FG fines Multichoice N766m over data privacy breach
The Federal Authorities has imposed a horny of ₦766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching the Nigeria Records Safety Act, following findings that the company violated subscribers’ privacy rights and unlawfully transferred electorate’ non-public information across national borders. The sanction used to be supplied by the Nigeria Records Safety Commission (NDPC) in a assertion on Sunday. In step with Babatunde Bamigboye, the Head of Ultimate, Enforcement and Laws at NDPC, the beautiful follows an investigation that began within the 2nd quarter of 2024 after issues emerged over Multichoice’s information going by practices. “The depth of information processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, pointless, and disproportionate,” the assertion read. “Here's a grave affront to the traditional upright to privacy as enshrined in Portion 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The NDPC stated the probe printed multiple violations, along with the unauthorised processing of non-public information belonging no longer handiest to Multichoice subscribers however moreover to folks and not utilizing a buyer relationship with the company. It moreover stumbled on that Multichoice had transferred Nigerians’ information out of the country without meeting supreme requirements. The price acknowledged that it had within the origin directed Multichoice to grab corrective steps in line with regulatory procedures, however the company’s response used to be deemed insufficient. “For want of cooperation, the price has directed Multichoice to pay ₦766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Records Safety Act,” Bamigboye stated. The National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has now ordered a broader investigation into all Multichoice information series factors nationwide, warning that any outlet stumbled on in breach of the Act would face penalties. The NDPC emphasised that Nigeria will defend its information sovereignty in line with each and each local and global frameworks. It added that violations of this nature threaten no longer appropriate particular person privacy however moreover national security, supreme integrity, and financial balance. This beautiful marks essentially the most modern in a string of regulatory challenges for Multichoice Nigeria. Earlier in February 2025, the Federal Competition and User Safety Commission (FCCPC) ordered the company to droop a deliberate subscription price magnify pending investigation. Whatever the directive, Multichoice applied the hike on March 1, 2025, prompting extra supreme action. The FCCPC as a consequence of this truth filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria and its Chief Govt Officer, John Ugbe. The charges consist of obstruction of a regulatory investigation, defiance of legit orders, and dissemination of misleading information, all in violation of the Federal Competition and User Safety Act of 2018.
