Government probes data breach in bank, betting firm

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), has commenced an investigation into reports of breaches involving customers’ data in Wema Bank Plc and KC Gaming Networks (Bet Naija).

Some customers had, in May, complained of a breach of their rights to data privacy and protection by the bank.

A statement signed by the Legal, Enforcement and Regulations Lead of the Bureau, Babatunde Bamgboye, said the probe is in line with Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, particularly Articles 2.1(2)-(3), 2.6 and Article 4 of the NDPR.

Bamgboye, who added that the bureau is also investigating reports of a data breach at KC Gaming Networks, said this particular case involved an alleged external attack.

He said: “At this stage, the objectives of these investigations, as directed by the National Commissioner/CEO of the Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, are to determine the impact of the breaches on the affected data subjects and the remedial actions taken by the concerned data controllers.”

He added: “The bureau assures members of the general public that it will ensure proper accountability of the data controllers in the ongoing investigations.”