NDPC Investigates Temu Over Alleged Violation of Data

Nigerian regulators have opened an urgent inquiry into e-commerce platform Temu after receiving multiple grievances about questionable data handling practices. The move signals growing concerns about how global digital marketplaces manage African consumer information.

Vincent Olatunji, who heads the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, revealed that initial assessments show Temu manages sensitive details for roughly 12.7 million Nigerian users. Globally, the platform engages approximately 70 million people daily, making this probe particularly significant for international data governance standards.

The watchdog’s scrutiny centres on several troubling areas: potential digital surveillance through user tracking, corporate responsibility frameworks, excessive data collection, unclear privacy policies, insufficient care obligations, and international data transfers. These issues collectively paint a worrying picture for consumer protection advocates.

Millions at Risk as Probe Deepens

Speaking on the matter, Olatunji stated: Preliminary investigations indicate that Temu is an e-commerce platform that processes personal information of approximately 12.7 million data subjects in Nigeria, with 70 million daily active users globally. His comments underscore the massive scale at which consumer data flows through such platforms.

The commission chief emphasised that companies handling user details on behalf of primary data holders must ensure they meet regulatory standards. Those failing to demonstrate compliance face potential legal consequences under existing frameworks.

Furthermore, he warned: Processors who handle personal data on behalf of data controllers must verify compliance with the NDPA. Failure to do so may result in liability under the law. This stern message serves as a clear warning to both Temu and similar platforms operating within Nigerian borders.

Regulators Promise Tough Action

Olatunji reinforced the commission’s dedication to protecting citizens’ private information. Any organisation discovered breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act will encounter decisive enforcement measures, potentially including substantial financial penalties and operational restrictions.

The regulatory body stressed that this action reflects its core mission: defending Nigerians’ privacy entitlements, upholding data protection legislation, and guaranteeing that digital platforms operating across the country’s boundaries maintain proper standards. The commission appears determined to set precedents that could influence how other international e-commerce giants handle African market data.

This investigation arrives as governments worldwide intensify oversight of technology companies’ data practices. With millions of Nigerians potentially affected, the outcome could reshape how e-commerce platforms approach privacy in emerging markets. Industry observers suggest this case might establish crucial benchmarks for cross-border data management across West Africa.

The probe continues, with further developments expected as regulators examine Temu’s operational frameworks in greater detail. Consumer rights groups have welcomed the swift action, calling it a necessary step towards digital accountability in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding online marketplace.