Multichoice Nigeria is in hot water after the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) slammed a massive fine of ₦766,242,500 on the company. The fine comes after an investigation that began in the second quarter of 2024. It was triggered by complaints about how Multichoice handled subscribers’ personal data and shared them across borders.
According to the NDPC, Multichoice’s data practices were simply unacceptable. The Commission said the company was carrying out illegal cross-border transfers of Nigerians’ personal data. Worse still, the data included details of subscribers’ friends who weren’t even registered users.
In their words, “The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.” The Commission described it as a grave violation of privacy rights, citing Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution which protects every citizen’s privacy.
They didn’t stop there. The NDPC emphasized that Nigeria must protect its people and their data, as these breaches can threaten national security, economic stability, and the rule of law. After reviewing Multichoice’s response to its standard remediation process, the Commission wasn’t impressed. They labelled the company’s efforts as “unsatisfactory.”
As a result, Multichoice has been directed to pay the ₦766 million fine. But the drama doesn’t end there. The NDPC National Commissioner, Vincent Olatunji, has ordered that all Multichoice outlets collecting Nigerians’ personal data will be thoroughly investigated. Any outlet found violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act will also face penalties.
This situation has sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning how companies handle their private information. While Multichoice is yet to release a detailed public statement on the fine, subscribers are waiting to see if the company will appeal or comply swiftly to avoid further sanctions.
For now, it’s clear that data privacy is no longer a back-burner issue in Nigeria, and companies are being watched more closely than ever before.
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