The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned content creators against filming members of the public without their consent after a video by a Lagos-based TikToker Ella showed commuters waiting in lines at the Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
In a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations Babtunde Bamigboye, the NDPC said taking and sharing images or videos of unsuspecting members of the public without consent violates their right to informational self-determination.
Ella had shared a video showing passengers waiting in lines at the terminal, saying commuters sometimes spend more than two hours before boarding buses.
The video drew reactions on social media.
The commission said such actions violate the right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
According to the NDPC, its review of the case raised concerns about people filming members of the public for entertainment without consent.
The commission said people in such situations do not expect their images to be captured and shared online by individuals they do not know.
It added that anyone processing personal data must obtain consent or rely on another lawful basis under the law.
The NDPC also warned that platform owners who fail to address harm caused by such content may face sanctions under the Act.
It said content creators could face prosecution if they violate the privacy rights of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) said it is working with private operators to introduce more buses into the transport system.
In a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications Kolawole Ojelabi the agency said the person seen in the video is a supervisor employed by a private bus operating company and not a member of its staff.
LAMATA also advised content creators to follow privacy laws when producing and sharing content on public transport, noting that it has received complaints from commuters about the unauthorised use of their images online.
