MultiChoice Fined R8.9 Million for Privacy Breaches in Nigeria

Africa’s biggest pay-TV provider, MultiChoice, is in hot water again—this time over data privacy concerns in Nigeria, where regulators have hit the company with a fine of over ₦766 million (R8.9 million).

The fine comes after Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission (NDPC) concluded a year-long investigation into how MultiChoice processes the personal information of its millions of Nigerian subscribers. And the findings weren’t flattering.

Privacy or Profit?

MultiChoice, which operates DStv and GOtv, was accused of conducting data processing practices that the commission described as “intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.”

What raised eyebrows was not just the data collected, but the sheer depth and scope of it, with the NDPC alleging that even associates of subscribers were indirectly affected. There were also concerns around the cross-border transfer of personal information, possibly outside of Nigeria—an area that is tightly regulated under the country’s data protection laws.

The NDPC says it gave MultiChoice a chance to implement remedial steps, but the company’s response was found to be “unsatisfactory.”

What it Means for South Africans

While this incident took place in Nigeria, the issue raises broader questions for South African consumers who also rely on MultiChoice’s DStv services for daily entertainment. South Africa has its own Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and cases like this put a spotlight on how well large corporations are respecting subscriber privacy—especially in an age where personal data is increasingly monetised.

In fact, this may reignite calls locally for more transparency around how companies collect and store user data, and whether the protections in place are enough.

A Company Under Scrutiny

This isn’t the first time MultiChoice has faced regulatory trouble in Nigeria. Over the past two years, the company has been locked in disputes over price hikes and tax compliance, all while continuing to grow its subscriber base across West Africa.

At the time of writing, MultiChoice had not publicly responded to the fine, and it remains to be seen whether they will challenge the ruling or pay up.

Public Reaction: Concern Mixed with Fatigue

On social media, the reaction was mixed. Some Nigerian users expressed outrage over the scale of the data collection, while others saw it as yet another chapter in the ongoing tension between foreign-owned companies and African regulators.

In South Africa, X  users called for POPIA watchdogs to audit the company’s local operations, asking: “If this happened in Nigeria, what’s happening behind the scenes here?”

The Takeaway?

Whether you’re watching the Premier League or catching the latest local soapie, your personal data is part of the bigger business picture. And as regulators sharpen their focus across Africa, companies like MultiChoice are being reminded that convenience can’t come at the cost of consumer trust.

Source:Tech Central 

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com