Short video platform TikTok has committed to fully cooperate with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as the agency investigates the platform for alleged data breaches. The NDPC’s probe was initiated last week following public complaints and independent findings that suggest potential violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. TikTok emphasized its dedication to user privacy and data security, expressing readiness to collaborate with Nigerian authorities on the investigation.
The investigation aims to determine whether TikTok and Truecaller, another platform under scrutiny, have mishandled user data by collecting, storing, or sharing it without proper consent or legal compliance. The NDPC has indicated that its approach will focus on remediation rather than immediate penalties, giving the companies involved a chance to address any violations before regulatory actions are taken based on the investigation’s findings.
While Nigeria’s probe is ongoing, TikTok has faced similar scrutiny internationally concerning its data practices. Concerns have been raised in several countries about the platform’s connections to China and the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government. A former ByteDance employee previously alleged that the Chinese Communist Party had accessed TikTok user data for political purposes, sparking fears over state influence on the app’s operations.
In addition to scrutiny in Nigeria, TikTok has faced regulatory actions from several European countries. Privacy groups like Austria’s noyb have filed complaints in multiple countries, accusing TikTok and other Chinese companies of violating data protection laws by transferring user data to China. Despite the controversies, TikTok remains committed to user privacy and has pledged cooperation with authorities in resolving the ongoing investigations.
source: punch