The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has initiated an immediate investigation into the data processing activities of the global e-commerce platform Temu.
Securitynewsalert.com gathered that Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, ordered the inquiry following allegations that the platform’s operations may be in direct violation of the Nigeria Data Protection (NDP) Act.
In a statement released by Babatunde Bamigboye, the Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations at the NDPC, the commission revealed that the probe was sparked by several high-level concerns.
These include potential online surveillance through the processing of personal information, as well as issues regarding data minimisation, transparency, and the platform’s duty of care toward its users. Regulators are also closely examining the company’s protocols for cross-border data transfers and general accountability.
Preliminary findings by the commission indicate that Temu’s footprint in Nigeria is substantial, with the platform currently processing the personal data of approximately 12.7 million Nigerian citizens. This local user base is a significant segment of the platform’s global operations, which boast roughly 70 million daily active users.
Responding to the investigation on Tuesday, Temu stated that protecting user privacy and data security remains a top priority for the firm. The company expressed its commitment to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and noted that it is engaging in an open dialogue with the NDPC to address the regulator’s concerns.
Dr Olatunji has also issued a broader warning to all data processors operating within the country. He emphasised that any entity processing information on behalf of a data controller is legally obligated to verify that the controller is in full compliance with the NDP Act. Under the current legal framework, third-party processors who fail to perform this due diligence may be held liable for any resulting violations.
The outcome of this investigation is expected to set a major precedent for how global digital platforms manage the personal information of African consumers. It follows a period of increased regulatory scrutiny in Nigeria, where authorities have recently moved to enforce stricter data ethics and digital sovereignty across the tech sector. #https://securitynewsalert.com/
