NDPC Warns Content Creators Against Violating Citizens’ Privacy on Social Media

Commission Raises Concern Over Filming Unsuspecting Members of the Public

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned content creators across the country to respect the privacy rights of citizens, cautioning that taking pictures or recording videos of unsuspecting individuals and sharing them online may constitute a violation of Nigerian law.

The commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of some individuals who record members of the public without their knowledge and distribute such footage on social media platforms.

According to the commission, such actions may infringe on the rights of citizens to informational self-determination, which is protected under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

Akahi News gathered that the warning follows growing concerns about the increasing trend of street-based content creation where unsuspecting individuals are filmed and later featured in online entertainment videos.

Commission Investigates Reality-Style Content Recorded in Lagos

The commission particularly cited a case involving a content creator who reportedly stands along roadsides in Lagos State to film passers-by as part of what has been described as a “reality show” style production.

Officials of the commission said such activities raise serious concerns about the abuse of citizens’ rights in the name of entertainment.

According to preliminary findings by the commission, recording and processing images of members of the public in such situations requires their consent unless the creator can clearly justify the action under lawful data-processing provisions.

However, early investigations reportedly indicate that such recordings do not serve any clear public interest or legitimate purpose that would justify the intrusion.

Akahi News learnt that the commission emphasised that individuals captured in such footage usually have no expectation that their images would be recorded and shared with potentially millions of viewers online.

This situation, according to the NDPC, raises significant legal and ethical questions about the boundaries between creative expression and the fundamental right to privacy.

NDPC Directs Social Media Platforms to Strengthen Enforcement

In response to the development, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed owners of major social media platforms to strengthen enforcement of their community guidelines.

The directive specifically applies to platforms such as TikTok, X, and Meta, which host a large volume of user-generated content.

The commission said stronger enforcement measures are necessary to prevent harm that may arise from the unlawful or unfair processing of personal data.

Officials also warned that if platform operators fail to act promptly when such violations are reported, the commission may impose sanctions under the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Content Creators May Face Criminal Prosecution

Beyond platform regulation, the commission stressed that individual content creators bear responsibility for their actions online.

According to the NDPC, creators who deliberately violate the privacy rights of citizens may face legal consequences, including possible criminal prosecution.

Legal experts say the warning reflects growing global attention to the protection of personal data in the digital age, especially as social media continues to transform the way people create and consume entertainment.

But the issue also raises deeper questions about the modern digital culture.

In an age where smartphones and social media platforms have turned ordinary people into instant content creators, where should society draw the line between creativity and privacy?

Is entertainment still harmless if it humiliates or exposes people who never consented to being part of the show?

And in a world where a few seconds of footage can travel across the globe within minutes, who truly controls personal identity — the individual or the algorithm?

Growing Need for Responsible Digital Culture

Observers believe the NDPC’s warning may mark an important moment in Nigeria’s evolving digital governance landscape.

As online content creation becomes a thriving industry, the responsibility to respect citizens’ rights may become just as important as the pursuit of views, followers, and viral fame.

For many Nigerians navigating the digital space, the message from regulators appears clear: innovation and entertainment must not come at the cost of human dignity and privacy.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Akahi News www.akahinews.org