Rights’ Violation: NDPC Investigates Optasia, Credit Scoring Activities Of Data Controllers

The national commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji has ordered a full-scale investigation into the data processing activities of Optasia, which operates in Nigeria as Nairtime Nigeria Ltd.

This investigation was prompted by a pattern of suspected non-compliant data processing discovered during routine regulatory oversight of data controllers and processors deemed of major importance.

The commission expressed grave concern over Optasia’s deployment of privacy-invading technologies to process personal data for purposes such as marketing, credit scoring and other financial solutions.

The investigation into credit scoring activities encompasses the methods used by financial institutions, telecommunication companies and insurance firms to process citizens’ personal data for various purposes.

A statement by the head of legal, enforcement and regulations at the commission, Babatunde Bamigboye Esq. noted that the national commissioner urged data controllers and processors of major importance who rely on third parties to process personal data to ensure that these third parties are duly registered with the commission. This step is aimed at ensuring accountability, strengthening data security architecture and protecting Nigeria’s data sovereignty.