The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has warned content creators that filming unsuspecting members of the public without consent is a constitutional violation that may result in criminal prosecution and sanctions for social media platforms.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a stern warning to social media content creators against the unauthorized filming or photographing of unsuspecting members of the public, labeling such acts a “willful invasion of citizens’ privacy.” In a statement released on Friday, March 13, 2026, by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, the commission noted that recording individuals for entertainment purposes without consent violates the right to informational self-determination guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The regulator specifically highlighted a recent case in Lagos where a creator filmed commuters for a “reality show,” asserting that “the data subjects involved have no expectation that their images will be captured and shared with the whole world by an unknown individual.” National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji has further directed major platforms like TikTok, X, and Meta to tighten their community guidelines, warning that both platforms and individual creators could face sanctions or criminal prosecution for failing to protect the privacy of Nigerians.
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