Nigeria’s data protection regulator has opened a formal probe into the operations of Chinese-owned e-commerce platform Temu, following concerns that its handling of personal information may breach the country’s data protection law.
In a statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye Esq. CDPRP Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, the investigation was ordered by the National Commissioner and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, who directed that Temu’s data processing practices be examined without delay.
The action stems from complaints linked to how user data is collected and used, including questions around online tracking, accountability standards, data minimisation, transparency obligations, duty of care, and the transfer of data outside Nigeria.
Preliminary findings by the commission suggest that Temu processes personal data belonging to an estimated 12.7 million users in Nigeria.
Globally, the platform is reported to serve about 70 million daily active users, placing its data operations at a scale that draws regulatory scrutiny in markets where it operates.
The NDPC said the inquiry will focus on whether Temu’s systems and policies align with the requirements of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The law sets out conditions under which personal data may be processed, including limits on how much data can be collected, how long it can be retained, and where it can be transferred.
Dr Olatunji also issued a warning to third-party processors that work with large platforms. He noted that companies which process data on behalf of a controller without confirming that the controller is compliant with the Act could face liability themselves.
This, he said, places responsibility not only on major digital platforms but also on their technology and service partners to verify compliance before handling user information.
The development adds to a growing list of regulatory actions targeting foreign digital platforms operating in Nigeria, as authorities seek to assert oversight over how personal data is handled in the country’s expanding online economy.
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