Protect citizens’ data, NCC tasks network lincensees

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has tasked the fifth generation (5G) network licensees in Nigeria to ensure the protection of citizens’ data, saying Nigeria is technological driven with cyber crimes on high.

The Commission stated that in the past, successive generation of networks have introduced notable advances in mobile data-carrying capacity and decreases in latency.

The regulatory agency said, the Mobile Telecommunications Network, MTN, Mafab Communications and Airtel Networks have been issued with 3.5GHZ Spectrum Licences to enable them 5G services in Nigeria and support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services, adding that licensees must be wary of both advantage and challenges that comes with the technology.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said that while 5G technology has enhanced capabilities that will be provide superior communications services for the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate attainment of a National Digital Economy, he urged the service providers to consider challenges that come with it, particularly in protecting user data privacy and safety.

“This calls for exercise of authority and control over mining and usage of data; the purpose being to increase value of data and minimize data related costs and risks.”

“It is indeed, recalled that while MTN has rolled services in about 13 cities in the country since it got the license in 2021, Mafab, which obtained the license same time with MTN, despite getting extension of rollout time has not started and Airtel since December 2022, after emerging the sole bidder has not revealed its 5G plan.

“In all, the President Muhammadu Buhari regime raked in over $820 million from the licensing of the technology.”
Dr. Chukwudi Diugu, Head, New Media and Information Security at the NCC, who represented Prof. Danbatta at the Forum stated that Data is critical to the digital economy, and the country must prioritize building robust legal frameworks for data governance.

He stressed that as the nation embrace the transformative potential of 5G, “we must also prioritise safety concerns, adding that the amount and speed of data generated using 5G Technology is unprecedented. As such, we need to always prioritize consumer privacy, transparency and ethical data use by cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.”

He said to ensure the security and protection of networks and consumers, the Nigerian Communications Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used in, or in relation to, the commission of any offense under any law in operation in Nigeria.