The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has imposed a hefty fine of N766.2 million (N766,242,500) on Multichoice Nigeria for violating provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act).
According to a press release issued by the commission on Sunday, the penalty on the cable broadcasting firm followed an investigation launched in the second quarter of 2024 after suspected breaches of subscribers’ privacy and unlawful cross-border data transfers were uncovered.
NDPC, in the statement signed by its Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulation, Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, stated that Multichoice not only violated the privacy rights of its subscribers but also those of non-subscribing individuals whose personal data were processed without lawful justification,
The agency emphasized that Multichoice’s data handling practices were “patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate,” deeming them a direct affront to the constitutional right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It claimed “Multichoice carried out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerian citizens in violation of national and international laws,” adding that, “This has serious implications for rule of law, national security and economic development.”
Despite being directed to take remedial action, the NDPC found Multichoice’s efforts unsatisfactory.
Consequently, it ordered the payment of the N766.2 million fine and warned that all other platforms used by the company to collect personal data would be scrutinized for compliance.
The NDPC National Commissioner, Mr Vincent Olatunji, also warned that any entity found processing personal data in breach of the NDP Act would face penalties under the law.
The development marks another trouble for the firm, which is also facing sanctions from the country’s consumer protection agency over its hike in price bouquets for DStv and GOtv subscribers. A court recently ruled that the FCCPC can’t fix prices.