The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, has imposed a fine of N766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act, citing violations of subscribers’ privacy rights and the unlawful transfer of citizens’ personal data across borders.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at NDPC, Babatunde Bamigboye, said the sanction followed an investigation launched in the second quarter of 2024 after allegations surfaced regarding the company’s intrusive data processing activities.

“The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate. This is a grave affront to the fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the country’s data regulator said.

According to the NDPC, the probe uncovered multiple breaches, including the unauthorised processing of personal data belonging to both subscribers and individuals who were not Multichoice customers.

It also found that the company had been transferring Nigerians’ data abroad without following due process.

The commission said it directed Multichoice to implement remedial measures as part of its standard enforcement procedures. However, the response from the company was deemed “unsatisfactory,” leading to the decision to impose the penalty.

“For want of cooperation, the commission has directed Multichoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” Bamigboye said.

He added that the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has ordered a wider investigation into all Multichoice data collection outlets nationwide. “Any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to a penalty under the Act,” he said.

The NDPC maintained that Nigeria reserves the right to defend its data sovereignty under both local and international law, stressing that such violations have implications for the rule of law, national security, and economic development.

This regulatory action adds to the growing scrutiny Multichoice Nigeria is facing across sectors.

In February 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ordered the pay-TV operator to suspend planned price hikes pending the outcome of an investigation. However, Multichoice went ahead with a price increase on March 1, 2025, which the commission described as a deliberate violation of its directive.

Subsequently, the FCCPC filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, accusing them of obstructing an ongoing investigation, defying regulatory orders, and violating sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.

The charges include willful obstruction, impeding an investigation, and providing misleading information to the commission.