Banks, Telcos, NIS under investigation for breach of data privacy
By Samson Echenim
Commercial banks, telecom firms and fintechs are currently being probed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) over allegations of breach of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency says it is also investigating the Nigeria Immigration Service for same allegation.
Isa Pantami, director-general of NITDA said Nigerians and non-Nigerians have taken note of the NDPR as evidenced by over 400 phones calls and numerous email enquiries being received and treated daily.
“The Management of the NITDA would like to bring to the notice of the general public of on-going investigation of alleged breach of the data privacy rights of Nigerians by some data controllers,” Pantami said in a statement.
“NITDA is currently investigating some entities including Banks, Fintechs, Telcos etc. who are in alleged breach of the NDPR. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is also under investigation for alleged violation of Article 2.1(2, 3) of the NDPR.
“We therefore, wish to assure all Nigerians that NITDA is willing, able and ready to implement the NDPR with the ultimate aim of ensuring compliance and making businesses and government work better for every Nigerian,” the statement reads.
“It may be recalled that NITDA issued the NDPR on 25th January, 2019 with the aim of stemming the tide of wanton abuse of data privacy, improving the global image of the Nigerian business environment and to stimulate a data economy which would lead to the creation of 300,000 jobs by 2022. We are happy to say that Nigerians and non-Nigerians have taken note of the NDPR as evidenced by over 400 phones calls and numerous email enquiries being received and treated daily,” he noted.
Pantami further said that the agency has gone further to prepare a detailed Draft Data Protection Implementation Framework and made available on the agency’s website, for inputs from the general public.
“The Framework details expectations from every stakeholder. Furthermore, a sample privacy policy is attached to guide government agencies and the private sector on compliance with the NDPR.