NCC tasks telcos on citizens’ data protection in 5G era

The Fifth-Generation (5G) network licensees in Nigeria have been mandated to ensure protection of citizens’ data in this critical period of cybercrime.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which gave the order in Lagos, yesterday, at the 2023 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum, with the theme: “5G: Data Governance, Safety and Security in Nigeria,” noted that the country is a highly technology-driven one, with the advent of 5G technology opening up immense opportunities and challenges, especially data governance, safety and security.

The regulator recalled that every successive generation has introduced notable advances in mobile data-carrying capacity and decreases in latency.

NCC, which said had issued MTN Communications, Mafab Communications and Airtel Networks with 3.5GHz spectrum licences for provision of 5G services in Nigeria and support delivery of ubiquitous broadband services, cautioned the licensees to be wary of both advantages and challenges that come with technology.

Indeed, The Guardian recounted that while MTN has rolled out services in about 13 cities since it got the licence in 2021, Mafab, which obtained its same period, despite getting extension, has not started and Airtel, since December 2022, after emerging sole bidder, has not revealed its 5G plan. In all, the ex-President Muhammdu Buhari regime raked in over $820 million from licensing of the technology.

At the Lagos gathering, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed that while 5G technology has enhanced capabilities that would provide superior communications services for the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate attainment of a digital economy, “we must consider the challenges that come with it, particularly in protecting user data privacy and safety. This calls for exercise of authority and control over mining and usage of data – the purpose being to increase value of data and minimise data-related costs and risks.”

Represented by Head, New Media and Information Security, Dr. Chukwudi Diugu, the EVC said information are critical to digital economy, adding that Nigeria must prioritise building robust legal frameworks for data governance.

He said as the nation embraces the transformative potential of 5G, “we must also prioritise safety concerns. The amount and speed of data generated using 5G technology is unprecedented.”

As such, we need to always prioritise consumer privacy, transparency and ethical data use. By cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.”

Danbatta said to ensure security and protection of networks and consumers, the NCC Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used to undermine authorities and extant laws.

He continued: “In this regard, licensees are required to assist the commission and other law enforcement agencies in preventing crime in Nigeria.

“There is also the concern about how personal data are collected, stored, shared and exploited. Though this is provided for in the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007, the commission is in the process of developing more elaborate data protection regulations to ensure protection and privacy of data in the Nigerian communications sector.”

To the Lead Consulting Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa, Remmy Nweke, the theme is apt due to need for safety and security as 5G becomes the next big thing in the country’s growing telecoms sector.

“As we may be aware, the 5G mobile network is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks. Thus, 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything, including machines, objects and devices, he stated.