The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has ordered an immediate investigation into the e-commerce platform Temu, following concerns that its data handling practices may be in violation of Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner and CEO, said preliminary inquiries flagged potential breaches related to online surveillance, accountability, data minimisation, transparency, duty of care, and cross-border transfer of personal data.
Temu, which reportedly handles personal information for approximately 12.7 million users in Nigeria and 70 million daily active users globally, is now under close scrutiny.
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The NDPC warned that processors conducting activities on behalf of data controllers without verifying compliance with the NDPA could face legal consequences.
Babatunde Bamigboye, head of legal, enforcement & regulations at the NDPC, emphasized the importance of compliance for all platforms operating in Nigeria, noting that failure to adhere to the law could trigger enforcement actions.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns over how foreign e-commerce platforms collect, store, and transfer user data, particularly across borders. Temu has yet to respond to the NDPC directive.
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