The government of every country has the job of protecting its citizens – including their private data. So, you can understand why most countries is refusing to accept the new WhatsApp policy with open arms. The Nigeria government have shown its concern about the new WhatsApp privacy policy.
It appears that the Federal Government of Nigeria is going to critically review the new WhatsApp Privacy Policy and for good reasons. According to a press statement publish on Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Nigeria (FMCDE), FG seek to understand the extent of data to be collected.
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And the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM has weighed in on the matter.
The new WhatsApp privacy policy grant access for them to information including user phone numbers, “transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using our Services, mobile device information, your IP address”.
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WhatsApp has also made it clear a new update that people who refuse to accept this new terms of service might kiss the use of the application goodbye.
In line with the above, the Honourable Minister has therefore directed the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as the Regulator of the Information Technology sector, to engage vigorously with Facebook to understand the processes, level of security, etc of the data of Nigerian users in order to ensure that Policies proposed for Nigeria strictly adhere to the provisions of NDPR.
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From the look of things, this FG review can go two ways. One, if the new WhatsApp privacy policy is not inline with the NDPR, then WhatsApp might take its service out of Nigeria. Two, if FG can come to understand the new WhatsApp privacy policy and if it’s inline with provisions of NDPR, then Nigerians can continue using WhatsApp.
What do you think? Would you rather share your private data and use WhatsApp as a Nigerian? Or stop using WhatsApp and keep your private data? Use the comment section below.
