Pull Down Unlawful Footages, NDPC Urges TikTok, Meta Others

Pull Down Unlawful Footages, NDPC Urges TikTok, Meta Others

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has directed social media platforms, including TikTok, X, and Meta, to immediately remove videos and images of unsuspecting members of the public shared without consent, warning content creators that they could face criminal prosecution.

Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at NDPC, raised the alarm on Friday over individuals who stand in public spaces; like roadsides to film people for online “reality shows” without permission.

“These acts violate citizens’ rights to informational self-determination as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,” Bamigboye said.

He added that capturing or sharing images of individuals without consent is unlawful unless the content creator can justify it under other recognized legal grounds.

“Our investigations reveal that this deliberate invasion of privacy serves neither a public nor legitimate interest. People whose images are captured have no expectation that their pictures or videos will be broadcast globally by strangers,” he said.

In response, NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has instructed platform owners to enforce community guidelines more strictly to prevent harm from unlawful processing of personal data.

“For clarity, where platforms fail or delay in addressing harmful content, the Commission will not hesitate to impose sanctions under the NDP Act,” Bamigboye warned.

He stressed that individual content creators are also accountable for their actions. “Violators may be subject to criminal prosecution for infringing the privacy rights of citizens,” he said.

The NDPC’s advisory comes as concerns rise over the use of public spaces for online entertainment, highlighting the urgent need for content creators and platforms to comply with data protection laws and respect the privacy of individuals.