The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has issued a strong warning to content creators and social media platforms over the rising trend of filming unsuspecting Nigerians without consent, describing the practice as a violation of privacy rights.
Across cities like Lagos and Abuja, content creators have increasingly taken to the streets to record random individuals for “prank” or interview-style videos. In many cases, these clips are later shared on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook without the subjects’ knowledge or approval, often exposing them to ridicule and emotional distress.
One common scenario involves individuals being asked unexpected questions in public or tricked into emotional reactions, only to later discover their faces online marked as “failures” or featured in viral prank videos. Victims say such content has caused embarrassment, anxiety, and reputational damage, raising concerns about mental health and digital ethics.
Reacting to the trend, the NDPC stated that capturing and sharing people’s images without consent violates Section 37 of Nigeria’s Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. The agency stressed that individuals have the right to control how their personal data—including images and videos—is collected and used, adding that such content creation does not serve any legitimate public interest.
The commission has now directed major social media companies, including Meta and X, to enforce stricter content moderation policies. It warned that platforms failing to act promptly could face sanctions under Nigerian law, signaling a potential crackdown similar to past regulatory actions.
Nigeria has previously taken strong measures against social media platforms. In 2021, the government suspended Twitter for several months over regulatory concerns before restoring access after compliance agreements were reached. More recently, Meta reportedly faced significant fines over regulatory issues, underscoring the government’s readiness to enforce compliance.
With the latest directive, authorities aim to curb the growing culture of “content at all costs” and protect citizens from exploitation in the digital space. The move signals a tougher stance on privacy violations and could reshape how online content is created and shared in Nigeria.
