NDPC Fines MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766.24 Million for Data Protection Violations

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766.24 million for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), following an investigation into the company’s handling of subscriber data.

MultiChoice Nigeria is the parent company of DStv, GOtv, and the organisers of the Big Brother Naija franchise.

According to a statement released on July 6 by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations at the NDPC, the fine comes after a probe launched in Q2 2024 into suspected breaches of subscribers’ privacy and the unlawful cross-border transfer of personal data.

“NDPC found, among other things, that MultiChoice violated the data privacy rights of its subscribers and individuals associated with them, including non-subscribers. The company also engaged in the illegal cross-border transfer of Nigerians’ personal data,” Bamigboye stated.

He further described MultiChoice’s data processing practices as “intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” and a serious violation of the right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

Bamigboye added that Nigeria has the right to safeguard its citizens’ data and uphold data sovereignty under international and local laws, as these have implications for national security, economic growth, and the rule of law.

The commission noted that MultiChoice was directed to implement remedial measures in line with NDPA standards, but that its response was found to be unsatisfactory. As a result, the fine of ₦766,242,500 was imposed.

In addition, the NDPC’s National Commissioner, Vincent Olatunji, has ordered an investigation into all channels through which MultiChoice collects Nigerians’ personal data, warning that any entity found in violation of the NDPA would face penalties.

The NDPC, which functions as Nigeria’s Data Protection Authority, said it processes data based on lawful grounds such as consent, legal obligation, and contract.

As of the time of reporting, MultiChoice has not issued an official statement in response to the fine. The implications of this development for the upcoming season of Big Brother Naija, especially regarding data handling for voting and production, remain unclear.