Multichoice slammed with N766m fine, reason, other details emerge
Understanding the danger of data privacy violations: How your personal information can be exploited, and why the Multichoice Nigeria fine matters.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has imposed a fine of ₦766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
According to SaharaReporters, the sanction followed an investigation initiated in the second quarter of 2024, prompted by reports of suspected privacy violations involving Multichoice subscribers and the unlawful transfer of Nigerians’ personal data across borders.
Findings from the investigation revealed that Multichoice infringed on the data privacy rights of its subscribers as well as individuals who were not customers of the company. The Commission also determined that the company conducted unauthorised cross-border transfers of personal data belonging to Nigerian citizens.
According to the NDPC, the extent of data processing carried out by Multichoice was found to be excessively invasive, disproportionate, and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and necessity.
The Commission concluded that these actions amounted to a serious violation of the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Nigeria is entitled to protect her citizens, and data sovereignty under both international and extant municipal laws as these have far-reaching implication for rule of law, national security and economic growth,” a statement on Sunday signed by the Commission’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, stated.
The Commission noted that in line with its standard remediation procedure, it directed “Multichoice to carry out appropriate remedial measures”.
“However, the Commission found the measures undertaken by Multichoice in this regard unsatisfactory. For want of cooperation, the Commission has directed Multichoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” it said.
“In view of the foregoing, NDPC National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed that all outlets through which Multichoice is collecting personal data of Nigerian citizens should be investigated for non-compliance.”
“Any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalty under the Act,” it added.
