NEWS
NDPC Issues N400m Fines To Four Banks, Firms Over Data Breaches
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has sanctioned four banks and three other companies, imposing fines totaling N400 million for breaches of citizens’ data privacy.
Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner of the NDPC, announced the penalties on Tuesday during a briefing on the one-year anniversary of the NDPC Act.
The NDPC was established following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, 2023.
This legislation replaced the former Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), marking a significant step forward in safeguarding personal data in the country.
The commission is tasked with safeguarding citizens’ private information and maintaining independence.
Vincent Olatunji revealed that in the past year, the NDPC has conducted investigations into breaches of citizens’ data involving over 1000 financial institutions, schools, insurance companies, and consultancy firms. Ongoing investigations into data infractions are also underway.
Olatunji emphasized that the NDPC’s efforts have resulted in heightened compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act across both private and public sectors.
He said: “The Data Protection Act 2023 is a major milestone for Nigeria. Mr President laid our apprehension to rest when he signed the Act on June 12, 2023.
“It was a major turnaround for the industry. Now the data ecosystem is beyond everybody because it is a global phenomenon due to the impact of technology.
“In terms of jobs and wealth creation, promotion of tourism, perception and attraction of foreign direct investments into Nigeria, we have taken a leapfrog and even overtaken some countries.
“And that’s why Nigeria was given the hosting right for 2024 All African Data Protection Commission’s and Institutions. About 30 countries will be here next year for the event.”
Olatunji further revealed that the NDPC has forged collaborations with key regulatory bodies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to ensure adherence to the Data Protection Act among stakeholders under their purview.
Through initiatives focused on capacity building, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, compliance standards within the ecosystem have been significantly elevated.
Additionally, in a concerted effort to monitor the operations of digital loan platforms, the commission has joined forces with the CBN, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other regulatory authorities.
Despite these efforts, Olatunji acknowledged that creating awareness remains crucial, especially for vulnerable Nigerians who fall victim to loan sharks due to lack of information.
Moreover, he pointed out the challenges posed by Nigeria’s vast population and expansive landmass, making it difficult to completely eradicate digital loan shark operations.
Many of these entities operate from isolated or remote areas without identifiable addresses, complicating enforcement efforts.
International News
Lebanon Must Not Become The Next Gaza – Australia’s Foreign Minister Repeats Ceasefire Call
Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, warning that Lebanon risks suffering the same humanitarian catastrophe as Gaza if violence continues to escalate.
Speaking at the United Nations, Wong condemned the ongoing airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and urged global leaders to take urgent action.
“This attack cannot and should not be justified,” Wong said, emphasizing the toll the conflict has taken on civilians.
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She highlighted Australia’s firm stance against Hamas, with sanctions already in place on the group’s leaders and financial backers.
However, Wong expressed deep concern over the heavy civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s response to Hamas.
Wong stated, “More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 11,000 children. Nearly two million Gazans have been displaced, many multiple times, and over two million are facing severe food insecurity. This must end. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price for defeating Hamas. All lives have equal value.”
Wong also pointed out that nearly 300 days have passed since Australia and 152 other countries voted for a ceasefire, yet the violence continues.
“Today, I repeat that call,” she said, urging both sides to halt hostilities.
The foreign minister also stressed the importance of averting further conflict in Lebanon, where tensions are rising amid ongoing air raids.
She called for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for peace between Lebanon and Israel.
“Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza,” Wong warned, calling for immediate international efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
A tragic helicopter crash involving a Pakistan oil company has left six people dead and eight others injured.
The incident occurred during takeoff on Saturday when the aircraft, operated by Mari Petroleum Company (MPC), suffered a technical fault.
The helicopter was carrying fourteen individuals, including three Russian pilots and crew members, when it went down in North Waziristan, a region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border.
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In a statement, MPC confirmed that the crash resulted from engine failure, ruling out any signs of sabotage.
“The accident has claimed the lives of six individuals, while eight others have been injured,” the company reported.
The injured have been promptly transported to a military hospital for medical treatment.
The team was reportedly on a visit to a nearby oil field at the time of the accident.
Mari Petroleum Company is recognized as one of Pakistan’s largest petroleum exploration and production firms, which continues to strive towards fully unlocking the country’s resource potential.
Further investigations are underway to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a tragic incident, South African police announced on Saturday that they are initiating a manhunt following a mass shooting that left 17 people dead in the town of Lusikisiki, located in the Eastern Cape province.
The violence erupted late Friday night, with reports indicating that 13 victims — 12 women and one man — were discovered dead in one residence, while four others were killed in a second location.
An additional victim remains in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
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National police chief Fannie Masemola addressed the media, stating, “We do not know the motive” behind the killings and emphasized the uncertainty regarding whether there are one or multiple suspects still at large.
This shooting marks the latest in a series of violent attacks in the region.
Earlier this month, seven family members, including three children, were shot dead in their home in KwaZulu-Natal, with no arrests made in that case.
Additionally, in April, ten family members—including seven women and a 13-year-old boy—were killed in a separate mass shooting in KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa continues to struggle with a high homicide rate, estimated at approximately 45 per 100,000 people, a stark contrast to the 6.3 per 100,000 in the United States and around 1 per 100,000 in most European nations.
Over the past year, the country recorded more than 27,000 homicides, averaging over 70 killings daily in a population of 62 million.
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