Prank Video: Nigeria Government Warns Content Creators Over Unauthorized Filming of People in Public, Says Offenders Will Face Prosecution

In a statement released on March 13, the commission said the growing trend especially in Lagos raises serious privacy concerns and could violate citizens’ rights under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

The commission noted that recording people in public spaces for online “reality-style” content without their knowledge may amount to unlawful processing of personal data, particularly when the individuals involved have no expectation that their images will be shared online.

NDPC says filming and posting unsuspecting Nigerians online without consent violates privacy law and offenders risk prosecution

NDPC also cited a case involving a content creator who reportedly films unsuspecting people along roadsides in Lagos for social media content, describing the practice as a possible abuse of privacy rights in the name of entertainment.

The National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, has directed social media platforms such as TikTok, X and Meta to strengthen enforcement of their community guidelines to prevent misuse of personal data.

The commission added that both social media platforms and individual creators could face sanctions or criminal prosecution if they fail to address or stop content that violates the privacy rights of Nigerians.See more, details. .