Nigerian Government Slams MultiChoice With ₦766.2 Million Fine Over Data Breach
The Nigerian government has fined MultiChoice Nigeria a hefty ₦766.2 million for breaching the country’s data protection laws.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the penalty follows an investigation that uncovered serious violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act).
The probe, which began in the second quarter of 2024, was prompted by reports of privacy rights breaches affecting subscribers and non-subscribers alike.
Signed by the Commission’s Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the statement revealed that MultiChoice was found guilty of mishandling users’ personal data, including carrying out unauthorised cross-border transfers of Nigerians’ information.
“The Commission found, among others, that MultiChoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and even their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” the statement read.
This development underscores the NDPC’s growing efforts to hold firms accountable and enforce strict data protection standards in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
