The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has imposed a fine of ₦766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for contravening the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The company was found guilty of violating subscribers' privacy rights and unlawfully transferring personal data of Nigerian citizens across international borders.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, said the fine followed an investigation that began in the second quarter of 2024, after reports emerged accusing the company of invasive data handling practices.

“The extent of Multichoice’s data processing is clearly intrusive, unjust, unnecessary, and disproportionate. It represents a serious violation of the fundamental right to privacy as guaranteed by Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the NDPC stated.

The investigation revealed several infractions, including the unauthorised processing of personal data belonging to both customers and individuals who were not even Multichoice subscribers. It also found that Multichoice had been transmitting Nigerians’ data to foreign entities without complying with required legal protocols.

As part of enforcement measures, the NDPC had initially directed the company to take corrective steps. However, the commission deemed Multichoice’s response inadequate, prompting the imposition of the fine.

“Due to the lack of cooperation, the commission has imposed a penalty of ₦766,242,500 on Multichoice for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” Bamigboye confirmed.

He added that the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has now ordered a broader investigation into all Multichoice data processing outlets nationwide. “Any outlet found to be in violation of the Act will be held accountable under the law,” he warned.

The NDPC reaffirmed Nigeria’s right to protect its data sovereignty under both domestic and international legal frameworks, emphasizing that such breaches could threaten national security, economic stability, and the rule of law.

This sanction marks the latest in a series of regulatory actions against Multichoice Nigeria. Earlier, in February 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) instructed the company to halt a planned subscription fee increase pending the outcome of an investigation. However, Multichoice went ahead with the price adjustment on March 1, 2025, in defiance of the directive.

Consequently, the FCCPC filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of obstructing an investigation, ignoring regulatory directives, and violating provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.

The charges include deliberate obstruction, hindering a lawful investigation, and supplying false or misleading information to regulators.