Nigeria opens probe into Temu over suspected data protection breaches

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA, ‌Feb 18 (Reuters) - Nigeria's ​data ​watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce giant Temu for suspected data-law violations, ‌the regulator said on Tuesday, a move that ⁠could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa's biggest markets.

The ‌Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) ‌said concerns over Temu's data-processing practices - including online surveillance, opaque handling, cross-border transfers and possible breaches of ​data-minimisation rules, triggered the investigation.

The move comes amid rising global scrutiny of Temu's rapid expansion.

NDPC chief ⁠Vincent Olatunji ordered the probe and warned that processors could be held liable ​for any non-compliance.

"At Temu, protecting user privacy and data security is a top priority. We ​are committed to complying with ‌applicable laws and regulations in our data practices. We will continue to engage in ⁠open and constructive dialogue with the NDPC to address any questions or concerns," a Temu spokesperson said in a ⁠statement.

Last year, the agency fined Multichoice Nigeria, Africa's largest pay-TV operator, ​766 million naira ($565,990) for breaching data-protection rules.

Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily ‌users globally, the NDPC said in a statement.

Temu, owned by Nasdaq-listed PDD Holdings, has ‌expanded rapidly in Nigeria with an app-driven marketplace offering ⁠steep discounts on fashion, ‌electronics and household ​goods.

($1 = 1,353.3800 naira)

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh. Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo. Editing by Mark Potter, Elaine ‌Hardcastle)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• US bank regulators propose fair-lending rule update
• Russian e-retailer Ozon says Ukrainian drone alert forces it to evacuate Tatarstan warehouse
• Oil price rises after Iran says it stops ships in Hormuz