In a bold move to defend Nigerians’ right to privacy, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has slammed Multichoice Nigeria with a hefty fine of ₦766,242,500 for breaking the nation’s data protection laws.
The Commission says Multichoice, the pay-TV giant behind DStv and GOtv, crossed the line by mishandling personal information of both subscribers and their contacts/friends – people who never even signed up for their services. NDPC describes the company’s actions as “intrusive, unfair, and unnecessary.”
The issue started in early 2024 when the Commission opened an investigation after complaints about how Multichoice was collecting and handling personal data. It turns out that not only were people’s privacy rights being ignored, but sensitive personal data was also being illegally transferred across borders, putting Nigerians at risk.
“This is not just about data. It’s about national security, economic safety, and the rule of law,” said NDPC boss, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, who also ordered a full investigation into all Multichoice data collection points in Nigeria.
According to NDPC, Multichoice failed to take the right steps to fix the problem even after being told to. As a result, the Commission issued the multi-million naira penalty as punishment and a warning to others.
