By Abuja, Nigeria
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned individuals against taking pictures or recording video footage of unsuspecting members of the public and sharing such content on social media platforms, describing the act as a violation of citizens’ privacy rights.
The commission said the practice infringes on the right to informational self-determination as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
The warning was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Head of Media at the commission, Itunu Dosekun, on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vincent Olatunji.
According to the NDPC, recording or publishing images and videos of individuals without their consent amounts to a breach of data protection regulations, particularly where such materials expose the subjects to ridicule, harassment, or other forms of harm on the internet.
The commission emphasised that images and video recordings that can identify individuals constitute personal data and must therefore be processed in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which requires lawful justification and respect for the privacy rights of citizens.
It urged Nigerians, especially social media users and content creators, to obtain the consent of individuals before capturing or sharing images and videos involving them in public spaces. The NDPC added that violators of the data protection law risk sanctions and penalties as provided under the Act.
