NDPC Warns Content Creators Against Filming Nigerians Without Consent

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a warning to content creators across the country against filming or publishing images and videos of unsuspecting Nigerians without their consent.

In a public notice released on Friday, the Commission said the growing trend of recording individuals in public spaces and posting the footage on social media platforms constitutes a serious violation of citizens’ privacy rights and may attract sanctions or criminal prosecution.

According to the NDPC, the warning comes amid a surge in viral content where creators secretly record people on the streets and upload the footage online for entertainment or promotional purposes.

“These acts violate the rights of citizens to informational self-determination as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,” the Commission stated.

Privacy Concerns Over Viral Social Media Content

The directive follows increasing complaints about content creators who film individuals without permission and distribute such footage across digital platforms.

The Commission specifically referenced a recent incident in Lagos where a content creator filmed unsuspecting pedestrians along busy streets as part of a reality-style social media show.

According to the NDPC, processing or publishing images of individuals in such circumstances requires their consent, except where the content creator can clearly justify the action under lawful grounds recognised by data protection regulations.

Preliminary investigations by the Commission indicate that such recordings amount to a deliberate invasion of privacy and do not qualify as content serving a legitimate public interest.

The NDPC also stressed that individuals appearing in such videos have no reasonable expectation that their images will be broadcast to a global audience, especially by people they do not know.

Social Media Platforms Asked to Tighten Enforcement

With the rapid growth of social media usage in Nigeria, short-form video platforms such as TikTok, Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram), and X Corp. have become key distribution channels for viral street-style content.

The NDPC has now directed these platforms to strengthen enforcement of their community guidelines to prevent harm resulting from unlawful data processing and privacy violations.

The Commission warned that digital platforms operating in Nigeria could face regulatory sanctions if they fail to act promptly against such practices.

Growing Scrutiny of Content Creation in Nigeria

The NDPC’s directive reflects broader regulatory attention toward the rapidly expanding content creation industry in Nigeria.

With millions of Nigerians consuming short-form video content daily, many creators increasingly film street interviews, pranks, and spontaneous public reactions in pursuit of views and online engagement.

Earlier in January, the Lagos State University (LASU) introduced new guidelines regulating content creation activities on campus following a controversial prank video that triggered panic among students.

Regulators now say stronger oversight is necessary to prevent misuse of personal data and invasion of privacy in digital media production.

Legal Consequences for Violators

Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, individuals and organisations found guilty of violating data privacy rules may face civil penalties, regulatory sanctions, or criminal prosecution.

The NDPC emphasised that content creators themselves could be held directly responsible for privacy violations arising from their content.

“Content creators may be liable to criminal prosecution for violating the privacy rights of citizens and other data subjects in Nigeria,” the Commission stated.

Why the Warning Matters

The warning highlights the increasing importance of data privacy and digital rights protection in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding online ecosystem.

As social media continues to influence culture, entertainment, and digital commerce, regulators are seeking to ensure that creative expression does not come at the expense of citizens’ fundamental privacy rights.