The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a stern warning to content creators across the country, cautioning against the growing trend of filming unsuspecting members of the public and sharing the footage online without their consent.
In a press statement dated March 13, 2026, the Commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of individuals who secretly record members of the public and upload the content to social media platforms for entertainment or viral attention. According to the Commission, such actions could constitute a violation of citizens’ privacy rights and may attract sanctions under Nigerian law.
The regulatory body stressed that capturing and processing the images or videos of individuals without their knowledge infringes on their right to informational self-determination, a right guaranteed under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as well as the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
The warning comes amid growing concerns about a particular form of online content in which creators stand by roadsides or public areas to record unsuspecting citizens, often turning their reactions into “reality show”-style videos shared on platforms such as TikTok, X, and other social media networks. The Commission noted that such practices raise serious questions about abuse of citizens’ rights in the name of entertainment.
According to the NDPC, processing images or personal data in such circumstances requires clear consent from the individuals involved unless the content creator can legally justify the action under other lawful grounds permitted by the data protection framework. Preliminary findings by the Commission suggest that these recordings often fail to meet such legal standards, as the individuals captured in the videos typically have no expectation that their images will be recorded and shared publicly by strangers online.
The Commission further revealed that its preliminary investigations indicate that the practice serves neither a legitimate public interest nor a lawful purpose that would justify the invasion of privacy. Instead, the recordings expose ordinary citizens to unnecessary public attention, ridicule, or reputational harm.
As part of efforts to address the issue, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has directed major social media platforms to strengthen enforcement of their community standards and guidelines to curb harmful content involving unauthorized use of individuals’ images and personal data.
The directive affects major global platforms such as TikTok, X, and Meta, which the Commission urged to act swiftly when such violations are reported in order to protect users from unlawful and unfair processing of personal information.
The NDPC also made it clear that where platform owners fail or neglect to respond promptly to reports of harmful content involving privacy violations, the Commission will not hesitate to impose sanctions in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Beyond platform enforcement, the Commission emphasized that individual content creators remain directly responsible for their actions. It warned that creators who violate the privacy rights of citizens through unauthorized recording and distribution of personal images or videos could face legal consequences, including possible criminal prosecution.
The statement was signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the Commission, who reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the privacy rights of Nigerians in an era where digital content creation continues to expand rapidly.
The warning signals a growing regulatory focus on digital conduct in Nigeria, particularly as social media content creators increasingly push boundaries in pursuit of viral engagement. For many observers, the Commission’s intervention may mark the beginning of stricter scrutiny of online content practices that blur the line between entertainment and invasion of privacy.
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