The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has issued a stern warning to content creators who film unsuspecting members of the public and share the footage on social media platforms, describing the practice as a violation of citizens’ privacy rights.
The Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at NDPC, Babatunde Bamigboye, raised concerns on Friday in Abuja over individuals who stand on roadsides or public spaces to record videos for online “reality shows” without consent.
“These acts violate the rights of citizens to informational self-determination as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,” Bamigboye said.
He explained that processing images or videos of individuals without their consent is unlawful unless the content creator can justify the action under other recognised legal bases for data processing.
“Our preliminary investigations reveal that this wilful invasion of citizens’ privacy serves neither a public nor legitimate interest.
“People whose images are captured have no expectation that their pictures or videos will be shared globally by an unknown individual,” Bamigboye said.
In response, NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed social media platforms, including TikTok, X, and Meta, to strengthen enforcement of community guidelines to protect users from unlawful processing of personal data.
“For the avoidance of doubt, where a platform owner fails or neglects to act in a timely manner to prevent harm, the Commission will not hesitate to impose sanctions under the NDP Act,” Bamigboye said.
He added that content creators themselves are also accountable and may face criminal prosecution for violating citizens’ privacy rights in Nigeria.
The warning comes amid growing concern over the exploitation of public spaces for online entertainment, highlighting the need for stricter compliance with data protection laws and respect for individual privacy.
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