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Nigerian Agency Fines Multichoice 766 Million Naira for Data Privacy Breaches

Nigeria’s data protection authority has imposed a fine of 766 million naira ($501,340) on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator, for violations of the country’s data protection laws.


Summary:

  • Fine Details:
    The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) fined Multichoice Nigeria Limited, which runs DSTV and GOTV pay-TV services, for breaches related to subscriber privacy and illegal cross-border transfers of personal data.

  • Investigation Background:
    The fine follows a year-long investigation sparked by concerns over intrusive and unfair data processing practices by Multichoice. The NDPC described the company’s data handling as “patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” impacting not only subscribers but also their associates.

  • Previous Issues:
    Multichoice has previously faced legal and regulatory challenges in Nigeria, including disputes over price hikes and tax issues.

  • Non-compliance:
    Despite being instructed to take corrective actions, Multichoice’s measures were found unsatisfactory by the NDPC, leading to the penalty.

  • Company Response:
    Multichoice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Microsoft Strengthens Data Protection for European Cloud Clients

Microsoft announced on Monday that it will ensure data from its European cloud customers remains within Europe, under the jurisdiction of European law, with operational oversight by local personnel and complete customer control.

This move comes amid growing concerns from European governments and companies over the risk of sensitive data being transferred outside the continent, particularly to the United States. The concerns have intensified calls for stricter data sovereignty, prompting American tech giants like Microsoft to adopt more transparent and compliant data governance policies.

As part of these efforts, Microsoft reaffirmed commitments made in April to strengthen safeguards as it scales its cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe. These include compliance with European legislation aimed at curbing the dominance of major technology platforms.

The company also disclosed that any remote access to systems handling European data by Microsoft engineers will be permitted and actively monitored in real-time by personnel based in Europe. This measure is designed to bolster customer trust and ensure alignment with European data protection standards.

Microsoft’s new sovereign private cloud, which supports these enhanced protections, is currently in preview phase and is expected to become generally available later this year.

Gen Digital Forecasts Strong 2026 Outlook on Rising Cybersecurity Demand

Gen Digital, the parent company of popular antivirus brands Avast, Avira, and Norton, issued an upbeat forecast for fiscal 2026, citing continued demand for cybersecurity tools amid a wave of high-profile digital attacks and growing online scams. The optimistic outlook pushed Gen Digital’s shares up roughly 4% in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

The company projected annual revenue and profit above Wall Street expectations, reflecting strong enterprise and consumer interest in robust digital protection. Even as broader economic uncertainty weighs on IT budgets, cybersecurity remains a spending priority for many firms, driven by increasingly sophisticated threats and data breaches.

With its suite of security solutions for both individuals and businesses, Gen Digital appears well-positioned to benefit from heightened global awareness around digital safety and data privacy.

The company has not yet detailed full-year guidance figures, but analysts interpret the confidence as a sign of sustained customer retention and product innovation across its portfolio.