NITDA Advises Nigerians to limit sharing of sensitive information via Whatsapp or consider other platforms

By our Reporter

The National Information technology Development Agency ( NITDA) has advised Nigerians to consider opting for another platform other than WhatsApp or limit Sharing of sensitive Information.
According a statement signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar,Head Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA who stated that on WhatsApp privacy policy Changes, NITDA in collaboration with the African Network of Data Protection Authorities engaged Facebook incorporated, the owners of whatsapp platform specifically on it’s global policy which became official on 9th April 2021.
She explained that after the engagement, NITDA as Nigerians data privacy regulator, wishes to advise Nigerians on low Facebook business decision affect their privacy right.
“Facebook acquired Whatsapp In february 2014 Facebook currently has over 2.5 billion users globally, while WhatsApp has over 2. Billion users. Whatsapp shared a review policy on 4th January 2021, informing its users outside The European Union that it would now share their information with facebook and it’s sisters company”

The statement also further stated that Facebook team confirmed that private messages shared on WhatsApp Consumer version are encrypted and not seen by the company but the metadata which is also personal information is shared with other members of Facebook Group.
“WhatsApp users are at liberty to decide on giving consent to the processing of their data on the new privacy policy. The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPC) recognizes consent as one of the lawful basis for data processing.”
Users will now be subject to the terms and policies for Facebook and other receiving entities with or without direct subscribers to such services.

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