NDPC Issues Warning to Content Creators Over Public Filming Without Consent

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (Nigeria Data Protection Commission) has issued a strong warning to social media content creators and influencers over the growing practice of filming individuals in public without their consent.

The regulator cautioned that popular formats such as “street interviews,” public pranks, and unsolicited recordings may violate Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA) if individuals are identifiable and have not agreed to be recorded or published.

According to the NDPC, capturing and distributing personal images, voices, or identifiable information without consent could amount to a breach of privacy rights, especially when the content is monetized or widely shared on social media platforms.

The Commission also warned that sanctions may be imposed on violators, including investigations and possible prosecution where necessary. In addition, digital platforms hosting or amplifying such content could also face compliance scrutiny under Nigeria’s data protection framework.

This latest advisory forms part of a broader enforcement push aimed at tightening privacy compliance in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital and creator economy. Authorities say the goal is to ensure that content creation does not come at the expense of individual privacy rights.

As enforcement intensifies, creators are being urged to obtain clear consent before recording individuals and to adopt privacy-conscious practices when producing public-facing content online.