Multichoice Fined ₦766.2 Million for Violating Nigeria’s Data Privacy Law

The Nigerian government has imposed a fine of ₦766.2 million on MultiChoice for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act).

The sanction was announced in a statement released on Sunday by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and signed by its Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye.

According to the NDPC, the investigation into MultiChoice began in the second quarter of 2024, following suspicions of privacy violations against subscribers and the unlawful transfer of Nigerians’ personal data outside the country.

“The investigation which commenced in the second quarter of 2024 was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians. NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” the statement said.

The Commission further accused MultiChoice of conducting illegal cross-border transfers of personal data involving Nigerian data subjects, adding that its data processing activities were “intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.”

It continued: “This is a grave affront to fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Nigeria is entitled to protect her citizens, and data sovereignty under both international and extant municipal laws – as these have far-reaching implication for rule of law, national security and economic growth.”

While the NDPC said it had earlier directed MultiChoice to implement appropriate remedial measures, it found the company’s response unsatisfactory.

“For want of cooperation, the Commission has directed Multichoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” it stated.

The NDPC has also ordered an investigation into all platforms and outlets used by MultiChoice to collect personal data from Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over continued non-compliance.