Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, has revealed that the Commission has established a Joint Committee with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reconsider the Regulation that requires Financial Institutions to collect Customers’ Social Media handles and other Data.
This Announcement was made during a two-day Sensitization Workshop on Data Privacy and Protection held in Abuja.
In June of the Current year, the CBN Issued a Mandate for Financial Institutions to Obtain various Customer Details, including Social Media handles, Email addresses, Phone numbers, and Residential addresses, as part of its New Customer due Diligence regulations aimed at enhancing I Identification Processes in the Banking Sector.
However, the NDPC had previously I Opposed this regulation, deeming it Unnecessary.
Dr. Olatunji Stated, “When there was an issue with CBN asking for CBN Handles, we went to the CBN and we Set up a Joint Committee to see the best way to resolve this. We told them that was not necessary and they agreed with us.”
Additionally, Dr. Olatunji highlighted the Importance of sensitizing Nigerians about the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the need for Capacity building for Data Protection Officers (DPOs), emphasizing that there is a shortage of over 500,000 Certified DPOs in the Country.
During the event, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to Safeguarding Digital platforms to build Citizens’ Confidence while Online.
He stressed the Importance of Data Privacy as a Fundamental Human Right and a crucial aspect of the Nation’s Digitalization Journey.
