TheCable

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) says it generated over N400 million from data protection actions.

Vincent Olatunji, NDPC national commissioner, disclosed this on Sunday at a news conference to mark the 2024 Global Data Privacy Day in Abuja.

Data privacy is currently observed in the US, Canada, Israel, Nigeria, Qatar and 47 European countries. It is commemorated in Nigeria from January 28 to February 4.

The Nigeria Data Protection Bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023. It mandates the commission to enforce data protection compliance.

Olatunji said Nigeria has been admitted into the Global Privacy Assembly made up of about 130 countries.

The national commissioner said no organisation in the public and private sectors would be allowed to treat Nigerians as second class citizens when it comes to respect for the data privacy of citizens.

“It is worthy of note that our technical experts at the commission are already driving this process in collaboration with stakeholders from the industry,” NAN quoted Olatunji as saying.

“In the area of complaints and investigations, we have received over 1000 complaints and after thorough review, 50 have been verified and investigations are currently ongoing on 17 major cases.

“These cases are covering several sectors such as finance, technology, education, consulting, government, logistics and gaming\lottery among others.

“Through remedial actions for completed cases, we have generated over 400 million naira revenue for government.”

He further said in addition to fostering compliance, the commission has increased the number of Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) from 103 to 163.

The commissioner said everybody has the responsibility of data protection, adding that the activities of dark web barons and criminal exploiters of personal data should not be allowed to thrive.

Olatunji warned that failure to obey the law will attract penalties.