Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023: Empowering Individuals with Control Over Their Personal Data
With the growing prevalence of online social and economic activities, there is a heightened acknowledgment of the critical importance of privacy and data protection. Equally worrisome is the unauthorized collection, utilization, and dissemination of personal information to third parties without the explicit notice or consent of consumers. Out of 194 countries, 137 have enacted legislation to ensure the safeguarding of data and privacy. Notably, Africa and Asia exhibit varying degrees of adoption, with 61% and 57% of countries having implemented such regulations, while the least developed countries account for only 48% of adoption. Remember the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where millions of Nigerians' unwittingly had their data harvested and weaponized? Or the chilling reports of government surveillance, leaving citizens feeling watched and powerless? These stark realities fueled a years-long quest for data protection in Nigeria, culminating in a landmark victory – the Nigeria Data ...