Consider customers’ data protection as human right – Tijani warns banks, others

 

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has warned banks and other establishments that customers’ data protection must be treated as a human right.

He disclosed this in a two-day sensitisation workshop on Data Privacy and Protection in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, the Federal Government is committed to protecting citizens’ data in the digital ecosystem.

“Data privacy is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental human right, and we should care about the data we generate and what it is being used for. As we embrace the digital age, the personal and sensitive information of our citizens must be maintained under the eyes of confidentiality,” he said.

Earlier, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said it is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to review its controversial consumer regulation mandating financial institutions to obtain the social media handles and other personal details of consumers.

Benco News recalls that in June, CBN introduced its ‘Customer Due Diligence Regulations 2023’ mandating banks to provide the social media handles of their customers.