The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has advised Nigerians to limit the sharing of sensitive personal information on private messaging and social media platforms such as WhatsApp.
In a statement by Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s head of corporate
affairs and external relations, the agency also called the attention of
Nigerians to a recent change in WhatsApp privacy policy and its security
implication for citizens.
The statement is titled ‘WhatsApp privacy policy changes:
Implication for Nigerian users’.
Among the data collected by the messaging site, NITDA noted, are account info, status info, messages, location details, transaction and payment data, connections, usage and log information, and internet protocol address.
After engaging with Facebook on what the new policy means
for Nigerians, the agency stated that citizens may also want to explore other
platforms with the same functionality while watching out for their data sharing
and privacy practices.
“NITDA under Section 6 (f) of the NITDA Act 2007 wishes to
provide this advisory to Nigerians to address Nigerian concerns on changes to
Whatsapp Terms of Service and Privacy Policy which took effect on 15th May
2021,” the statement read.
“To understand the issues and give an opportunity to explain
its views, NITDA in collaboration with the African Network of Data Protection
Authorities engaged Facebook, specifically its global policy officials, on 9th
April, 2021.
“Data Protection
Regulation (NDPR) recognizes consent as one of the lawful bases for data
processing. Acceptance of the policy and terms of use implies that user data
would now be shared with Facebook and other third parties.
PRESS RELEASE
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) May 18, 2021
17th May, 2021
PUBLIC ADVISORY
WHATSAPP PRIVACY CHANGE: IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIAN USERS#BeCyberSmart pic.twitter.com/QRLbtrjoOH
“Nigerians may wish to note that there are other available
platforms with similar functionalities which they may wish to explore. Choice
of the platform should consider data sharing practices, privacy, ease of use
among others.”
NITDA said, in its engagement with Facebook (which purchased
WhatsApp in 2014), it raised concerns as to “the marked difference between the
privacy standard applicable in Europe, under the GDPR and the rest of the
world.”
The NITDA also added: “Limit the sharing of sensitive
personal information on private Messaging and social media platforms as the
initial promise of privacy and security is now being overridden on the basis of
business exigency.
“Nigeria’s engagement with Facebook continues. We have given
them our opinion on areas to improve compliance with the NDPR. Given the
foregoing and other emerging issues around international technology companies,
NITDA, with stakeholders, is exploring all options to ensure Nigerians do not
become victims of digital colonialism.
“Our national security, dignity, and individual privacy are
cherished considerations we must not lose.
“We shall work with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to organize a hackathon for Nigerians to pitch solutions providing services with functional alternatives to existing global social platforms.”
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