CITAD warns of rising data breaches and digital-rights abuses

The Centre for Information Technology and Development has warned of rising data breaches and misuse of Nigerians’ personal information, calling for stronger protection of digital rights and online privacy. The centre raised the concern at a briefing in Dutse, Jigawa State, on data breaches and violations of digital rights. Buhari Abba, the dComms project lead, said Nigerians faced increasing risks of having personal information exposed or used without authorisation.

Abba said the country’s expanding digital economy had created opportunities in communication, commerce, education and civic participation. However, he said those opportunities were being threatened by the exposure and commercialisation of sensitive information, including National Identification Numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, bank-account details and other personal records. He said such information could be exposed by financial institutions, online merchants, government agencies, individuals and malicious actors.

Abba also expressed concern about the concentration of power among major technology companies, saying their platforms gave users limited control over data and online interactions. He identified Facebook, Instagram and X as powerful gatekeepers whose algorithms, data-driven business models and centralised structures raised questions about competition, consumer protection, privacy and freedom of expression. He said many mainstream platforms relied heavily on collecting and monetising users’ data.

CITAD is promoting dComms, which Abba described as a decentralised and privacy-focused social platform. He said it was built around user control, privacy and digital freedom, and was connected to the wider Fediverse, allowing decentralised platforms to interact without dependence on one company. Abba said the centre had introduced dComms and digital-rights awareness at higher institutions in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi states.

He urged government bodies, technology companies, civil-society organisations and citizens to support a digital environment centred on privacy, transparency and users’ rights.