The Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC has imposed a hefty fine of ₦766,242,500 (Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act).
According to the NDPC, the investigation began in the second quarter of 2024 following reports of potential violations of the privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers. The commission found that Multichoice had illegally transferred the personal data of Nigerians across borders without appropriate safeguards and also violated the privacy of individuals who were not even subscribers.
The NDPC stated that the data processing activities of Multichoice were “intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” posing a serious threat to the constitutionally protected right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
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“Data sovereignty and the protection of Nigerian citizens’ personal information is a fundamental right that must be upheld,” the NDPC emphasized. “Such violations have implications not just for personal privacy, but also for national security, the rule of law, and economic development.”
Despite being instructed to implement remedial measures, the Commission found Multichoice’s efforts unsatisfactory and directed the company to pay the fine.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, warned that all outlets involved in the collection of personal data for Multichoice must be examined for compliance. “Any outlet processing personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalties,” he added.
