Satellite TV giant hit with record penalty for secretly shipping Nigerian data abroad.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has delivered a crushing blow to Multichoice, as NDPC fines Multichoice N766,242,500 for serious privacy violations. The record penalty comes after investigators discovered the satellite TV provider illegally transferred Nigerian subscriber data across international borders without permission.
The Investigation That Exposed Everything
What started as routine checks in early 2024 quickly turned into a major investigation when NDPC officials uncovered something alarming. Millions of Nigerian families using DStv and GOtv services had their personal information mishandled on a massive scale.
“The investigation, initiated in the second quarter of 2024, was prompted by suspected breaches of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers, as well as the unlawful cross-border transfer of Nigerians’ personal data,” revealed Babatunde Bamigboye, NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations.
The decision to impose this historic fine shows how seriously Nigeria takes protecting citizen data in an increasingly connected world.
Your Data Was Crossing Borders Without Your Knowledge
Here’s what should worry every Nigerian with a satellite TV subscription. The Commission discovered Multichoice was quietly sending customer data to other countries without following Nigerian law. Think about it – your viewing habits, payment details, and personal information potentially ending up in foreign servers without your consent.
“The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate. This is a grave affront to fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in section 37 of the 1999 Constitution,” Bamigboye explained, pulling no punches about the severity of these violations.
When the NDPC fines Multichoice this heavily, it sends a clear message to other multinational companies operating in Nigeria.
A Record-Breaking Penalty That Changes Everything
NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji didn’t hold back when Multichoice failed to fix these problems adequately. The N766 million fine represents one of the largest data protection penalties in Nigerian history.
But this isn’t just about money. Every Multichoice outlet that collects Nigerian personal data will now face intense scrutiny. For customers, this means better protection of their private information going forward.
“Any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalty under the Act,” Bamigboye warned, making it clear this enforcement action could be just the beginning.
What This Means for Nigerian Families
This landmark case could reshape how international companies handle Nigerian data. For the millions of families using Multichoice services, this represents a victory for digital rights and sets a precedent that could benefit all consumers dealing with international service providers.
Other multinational corporations are likely watching this case closely, knowing they could face similar consequences if they mishandle Nigerian customer data. The message is clear: respect Nigerian privacy laws or pay the price.
By Korede Abdullah
