Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has raised concerns over the activities of content creators who capture and share images or videos of unsuspecting members of the public on social media platforms without consent. The Commission says such actions violate citizens’ rights to informational self-determination under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023.
A particular case involves a content creator in Lagos State who films members of the public at roadside locations for a so-called “reality show.” According to NDPC, processing these images without consent is unlawful unless a legitimate legal basis exists. “Our preliminary investigation indicates that this wilful invasion of privacy serves neither a public nor a legitimate interest,” said Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of NDPC. “Individuals have no expectation that their images will be captured and shared globally by an unknown person.”
Dr. Olatunji further directed social media platform owners, including TikTok, X, and Meta, to strengthen enforcement of community guidelines to prevent harm from unlawful processing of personal data. “Where platform owners fail or delay in addressing these harms, the Commission will not hesitate to impose sanctions under the NDP Act,” he warned.
The Commission also emphasized that individual content creators are accountable for their actions. “Content creators may be liable to criminal prosecution for violating the privacy rights of citizens and other data subjects in Nigeria,” Dr. Olatunji added.
This warning signals a firm stance by the NDPC to protect citizens’ privacy rights while holding both platforms and individuals responsible for compliance under Nigerian law.