The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has imposed a fine of ₦766,242,500 on MultiChoice Nigeria for breaching provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
As the nation’s data protection authority, the NDPC is a statutory public institution mandated to process data lawfully in accordance with recognised bases such as consent, legal obligation, and contractual necessity.
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations at the Commission, said the fine follows an investigation launched in the second quarter of 2024. The probe focused on alleged violations of subscribers’ privacy rights and the unlawful cross-border transfer of personal data belonging to Nigerian citizens.
“NDPC found, among other infractions, that MultiChoice infringed upon the data privacy rights of its subscribers, as well as individuals linked to them who may not be direct subscribers,” Bamigboye stated. He further revealed that MultiChoice had been involved in the unauthorised international transfer of personal data.
He described the company’s data practices as “patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” amounting to a serious breach of the right to privacy protected under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bamigboye emphasized Nigeria’s right to safeguard the personal data and digital sovereignty of its citizens, in line with both domestic and international legal frameworks. He noted that these protections are crucial for upholding the rule of law, national security, and sustainable economic development.
During the investigation, the NDPC directed MultiChoice to implement remedial actions in accordance with the NDPA’s remediation standards. However, the Commission found MultiChoice’s efforts inadequate and cited a lack of cooperation, leading to the imposition of the monetary penalty.
Vincent Olatunji, the NDPC’s National Commissioner, also ordered a comprehensive audit of all data collection channels used by MultiChoice. He warned that any platform found processing Nigerians’ personal data in violation of the NDPA would face appropriate sanctions under the Act.
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