A major data breach has exposed millions of sensitive personal and financial information belonging to citizens of Nigeria, which is now being sold online for as little as 100 Naira (approximately $0.06 USD). The Paradigm Initiative, a digital rights organization, uncovered the breach and alerted authorities, raising concerns about privacy violations, economic impact, and national security.
According to Paradigm Initiative’s research, several unauthorized websites, including AnyVerify.com.ng, are involved in the commercial distribution of Nigerians’ data. The information being sold includes National Identity Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), driver’s licenses, international passports, company details, tax identification numbers, voter’s cards, and phone numbers.
The unauthorized access and sale of this data pose significant risks to Nigerians. The information could be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities. Additionally, the availability of financial data online could undermine the stability of Nigeria’s banking system and erode public trust in financial institutions. The breach of driver’s license information and other personal data could also compromise national security.
Paradigm Initiative, through its legal partners, has served a pre-action notice to several government agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The organization is seeking legal redress on behalf of Nigerian citizens and calling for a thorough investigation and implementation of stronger data protection measures.
The Paradigm Initiative is urging all stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, the private sector, media, and civil society organizations, to collaborate in addressing this data privacy crisis. The organization emphasizes the importance of protecting the personal information of citizens of Nigeria from breach and restoring trust in the nation’s data infrastructure.
Paradigm Initiative is a non-profit organization that connects underserved young Africans with digital opportunities and protects their rights. The organization has been working in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, focusing on digital inclusion and digital rights programs.
Launch Base Africa has not verified the claims made by Paradigm Initiative but is presenting the information as it has been reported by the organization.