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NIN: Nigerian citizens data sold online for N100
The worrying development, according to Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of PIN, presents a serious violation of the fundamental rights to privacy, a violation of data privacy rights, and poses serious hazards to people and the national economy. She also noted that data abuse and impunity exist in the nation.
Concern has been expressed over a data breach by multiple unauthorized websites that claim to hold and provide access to sensitive personal and financial data of Nigerian citizens for as little as N100. Paradigm Initiative, PIN, is a company that links underprivileged young Africans with digital opportunities.
At a conference held in Lagos yesterday, the company raised the alarm by claiming that N100 could be used to retrieve the original National Identity Number (NIN) of both high and low-class citizens.
The worrying development, according to Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of PIN, presents a serious violation of the fundamental rights to privacy, a violation of data privacy rights, and poses serious hazards to people and the national economy. She also noted that data abuse and impunity exist in the nation.
Sesan expressed concern over the existence of these websites which highlights significant gap in data protection and cybersecurity measures within the country.
He lamented that the dissemination of such information poses a big challenge on NIN and Bank Verification Number, BVN linking.
He called on government to urgently take action to address the issue by conducting a thorough investigation to identify these ilegal activities, enhance cybersecurity measures to prevent further data breaches, implement Nigeria data protection Act. strengthen the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, among others.
