Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has ordered a full-scale probe into claims of unlawful access to participants’ personal data in the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) database.
This investigation is a further regulatory measure to be taken by NDPC in the wake of public concerns over reports of illegal access to personal data of enrollees by a shadowy entity called XpressVerify.com.
It will be recalled that before now, NDPC had been engaging with NIMC on data protection.
To this end, NDPC held a training with relevant officers of NIMC early in February, 2024.
“This is one of the measures being put in place by the Federal Government to ensure data privacy and protection.
“We note that NIMC has initiated internal investigation and it has immediately given full assurances of cooperation with NDPC to get to the root of the allegation and to review existing mediums through which any entity may lawfully verify the identity of enrollees on its platform.
“Furthermore, NDPC will work with relevant agencies to audit the trails of the alleged unauthorized data processing and monetization of same, and those who are found culpable for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, will be brought to justice,” Olatunji said.
The national commissioner further directed that preliminary findings from the investigation would be made public within seven days.