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Court Tasks NIMC on Security and Privacy, Commends Paradigm Initiative’s Data Privacy Advocacy

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has commended Paradigm Initiative for its advocacy work in Nigeria and urges the organization not to rest on its oars.

 

This commendation was given while the court was delivering judgment in a case instituted by the organization against the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Attorney General of the Federation.

 

The case was instituted to compel NIMC to suspend the implementation of its Digital Identity systems in Nigeria pending the time Nigeria enacts a comprehensive Data Protection law and due to security lapses and privacy concerns identified by the organization.

 

The Presiding judge, Hon Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu while delivering her judgment categorically stated that the 1st respondent must do more in the area of security to avoid a breach of citizens’ rights to privacy etc.

 

According the judge “It is not sufficient to have lofty ideas, it must be married with overall interest of the public.

 

“The protective laws and parameters must be in place for adequate implementation of the policy”.

 

The court however dismissed the substantive case due to the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation introduced by the National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA) during the pendency of the case but the judge emphasized the relevance of the case for public good.

While commenting on the judgment, Adeboye Adegoke, Program Manager, Paradigm Initiative,  said “clearly, NIMC was going about the implementation of Digital Identity project in Nigeria without a Data Protection Law in Nigeria and that was the basis of this case.

 

“Coincidently, NITDA’s regulation on Data protection was announced while this case was pending in the court and the judge decided to rely on the regulation to dismiss the case.

 

“Meanwhile, as an organization we have strong concerns and this includes whether the NITDA’s regulation can be a substitute for a comprehensive data protection law compliant with the best global standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union.

 

“We are also worried about the implementation of the regulation. There are no records of enforcement of the regulation yet and as at the time of this statement, NITDA is still consulting stakeholders on how to go about implementing the regulation”.

In the words of the Judge, “The Honourable Court appreciates the laudable steps taken by Paradigm Initiative in instituting the case and their objectives for the common good.

 

“When responsible civil society and groups take the mantle as society’s watchdog, the general public stands to gain, in the long run. I urge them not to rest on their oars.

“We are currently reviewing the certified true copy of the Judgment and we will definitely consider appealing the judgment” says ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, and Paradigm Initiative.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Telecom

FG Plans EO to Criminalise Fiber Cable Damage Costing Telcos Billions

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Nigeria will criminalize the destruction of broadband fiber cables following repeated complaints by MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and other telecommunications companies that they are losing billions of naira, according to people familiar with the matter.

FG Plans EO to Criminalise Fiber Cable Damage Costing Telcos Billions

Federal ministry of works, which supervises federal road constructors, is finalizing the regulation that will be signed as an executive order by President Bola Tinubu, said the people, asking not to be identified as they weren’t authorized to comment.

While there are presently laws against vandalism, the authorities are aiming to regulate construction firms more closely.

The order will enforce stiff penalties on offenders, said the people, declining to provide more details or say when it will be signed.

“Telecom assets are critical backbone that supports the economy across sectors,” said Temitope Ajayi, a senior presidential aide, who noted that the Association of Telecommunications Companies (ATCON) has been demanding the classification for years.

New rules will provide “further assurance that the Nigerian government will protect their investments against vandals and criminal elements.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) estimates that the sector will make up more than a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product by the end of 2027, up from 13.5% in the third quarter of last year.

The move will help alleviate pressure on the telecoms sector, which is facing increased operating costs and sales pressures from a sharp depreciation in the currency and a threefold increase in energy prices.

Repairs and revenue losses from damaged cables is estimated to have cost the sector almost 27 billion naira ($23 million) last year alone, documents seen by Bloomberg show.

MTN Nigeria, the biggest wireless operator in Africa’s most-populous nation, and Airtel Africa Plc bore the brunt of the costs, the documents show.

MTN suffered more than 6,000 cuts on its fiber cable last year, the documents show. On Feb. 28, a cut on its network in three different locations by a road construction firm, an oil serving company and someone burning rubbish in a manhole meant customers faced more than five hours of data and voice outages.

The operator relocated 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) of vulnerable fiber cables between 2022 and 2023, at a cost of more than 11 billion naira – enough to build 870 kilometers of new fiber lines to areas without coverage.

A presidential order on the matter would be welcomed, said Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria.

“When it comes to communication infrastructure, they are destroyed at will, so we are eagerly awaiting the president’s order,” he said. “It would be a great boost to the industry, and it will also encourage investment.”

 

 


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Telegram Eyes 1Bn Users amidst Political Pressures

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Telegram, the messaging giant founded by Pavel Durov and headquartered in Dubai, anticipates hitting a remarkable milestone of one billion active monthly users within the next year.

Durov’s departure from Russia in 2014, prompted by governmental pressures to stifle opposition communities on his VK social media platform, underscores Telegram’s commitment to neutrality despite geopolitical challenges.

With 900 million active users currently, Telegram stands as a beacon of free speech in the digital realm, particularly influential in former Soviet Union republics and pivotal during conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine standoff.

Durov’s staunch advocacy for freedom of expression and opposition to censorship by tech giants like Apple and Google reinforces Telegram’s status as a neutral platform.

Opting for the UAE as its base, Durov cites its neutrality and openness as conducive to Telegram’s ethos, serving both opposition groups and governments alike while maintaining impartiality.

In Durov’s vision, the pursuit of freedom eclipses material gain, shaping Telegram’s trajectory as a bastion of digital liberation.

 

 


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NITDA, NIMC Announce Collaboration To Strengthen Digital Economy

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To further strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have announced a collaboration on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance and create synergy between digital identity, payment ecosystem, and secure & seemless data exchange capabilities for Nigeria.

During the meeting between the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and Director General of NIMC, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, with some management staff of both organisations, they discussed various initiatives, which include building DPI stacks for a secured and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.

This collaboration also aims to harness the potential of the innovative ecosystem and emphasise the use of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to drive digital transformation in Nigeria.

To ensure a smooth implementation, a 12-man committee was set up. This committee will play a crucial role in kickstarting and harmonising the initiatives. It is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report within the next 4 weeks


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