By The National Data Privacy Commission (NDPC) is investigating Optasia, owners of Nairtime Nigeria Limited the largest provider of Airtime Credit Services in the African and Middle East region, which also operates in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.
A statement by the Head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulations of the NDPC, Mr Babatunde Bamigboye said that the NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, ordered a full-scale investigation into the data processing activities of Optasia which operates in Nigeria as Nairtime Nigeria Ltd.
According to the NDPC, the investigation was triggered by a pattern of suspected non-compliant data processing which was discovered during routine regulatory oversight of data controllers and data processors of major importance.
The Commission noted with grave concern that Optasia deploys privacy invading technologies to process personal data for the purposes of marketing, credit scoring and other financial solutions.
The investigation of credit scoring activities covers the way financial institutions, telecommunication companies, insurance companies among others process personal data of citizens for various purposes.
The National Commissioner enjoined data controllers and data processors of major importance who rely on third parties as mediums through which the personal data of the Nigerian populace may be processed to ensure that such third parties are duly registered with the Commission.
He noted that the measure will ensure accountability, strengthen data security architecture and protect Nigeria’s data sovereignty.
