Stakeholders Insist on Protection, Confidentiality for Data Subjects

Emma Okonji

Stakeholders in the telecommunications industry have stressed the need for data protection and data confidentiality for all data subjects.

Speaking at the Data Protection Conference organised by Technology Times in Lagos, they insisted that Data Processing Officers (DPOs) and Data Controlling Officers (DCOs) who fail to protect the sensitive information freely given to them by data subjects, should be made to face the wrath of the law as listed in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Act that was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June this year.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Data Protection and Connected Nigeria- Challenges, Opportunities and Possibilities,” the Chairperson, Data Privacy Professionals, Nigeria, Adaobi Olaye, highlighted the importance of data protection and confidentiality, and called on the federal government to align with the private and public partners on data protection to execute the objectives of the existing framework for the data protection industry.

She suggested that in 2024, the private sector should be at the forefront in driving data protection, instead of allowing only government to drive it, through the NDPC.

She spoke about the global interest groups that are seeking for stricter regulation around data privacy.

She also talked about the data protection framework being developed across Africa that would have a unified approach to data privacy across the African Union.

Addressing the social implications of abuse of data confidentiality, Olaye said data subjects may alter their online behaviour, if they fear that their data is not adequately protected, a development, she added, could affect free flow of information from data subjects to Data Controlling Officers, and could also pose as a potential threat to digital platforms.

She advised data subjects in Nigeria to develop a standard that could be used to hold DCOs and DPOs accountable for every information that is released freely to them.  

Speaking, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Adesola Akinsanya, said Nigeria’s internet ecosystem was already thriving fast, with increased internet users that go online regularly. He therefore said the frequency at which Nigerians connect to the internet through different social media platforms and e-commerce platform, calls for adequate data protection through legislation.

“At the core of data protection, legislation aims to protect individual’s right to information privacy. This can be achieved a series of measures designed to curb unauthorised access or disclosure of personal information and incidences of data breaches in a growing and progressively volatile data environment,” Akinsanya said.

According to him, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation sets out principles, obligations and penalties for entities processing personal data in Nigeria, promoting responsible data handling and protection.

He however said many individuals and organisations lack awareness of their rights and responsibilities regarding data protection, leading to careless handling of personal information.

In order to address the challenges of data protection, Akinsanya called for collaboration among government agencies, regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders and civil society, to promote knowledge sharing and best practices. He also called for the implementation of educational programmes to raise awareness about data protection and privacy rights that will empower individuals and otganisations to adopt responsible practices. He then called for the increased investment in data storage facilities cybersecurity tools and technological infrastructure that could bolster the resilience of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Participants at the data protection conference raised concern over abuse of data privacy, and demanded for better ways to seek redress when their data rights are abused.