Nigeria Probes Temu: Data Privacy in Question

Nigeria's Data Protection Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese-owned e-commerce company Temu for alleged data law violations in handling privacy, cross-border data transfers, and online surveillance. The probe underscores growing concerns over data security amid Temu's rapid expansion in one of Africa's largest markets.

Nigeria's data watchdog has initiated an investigation into Temu, a Chinese-owned e-commerce giant, over potential data law violations, announced the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Tuesday. The inquiry highlights possible breaches in data-processing practices like online surveillance, unclear data handling, and cross-border transfers.

The investigation comes amid global attention on Temu's swift expansion in Nigeria, one of Africa's largest markets. Ordered by NDPC chief Vincent Olatunji, the probe underscores the serious implications for data processors violating the law, potentially leading to legal actions.

A spokesperson for Temu responded, emphasizing that user privacy and data security are of utmost importance, and the company remains committed to complying with relevant regulations. Temu is engaging in dialogue with NDPC to address these concerns. Meanwhile, Temu continues to grow rapidly, serving about 12.7 million Nigerians and 70 million global users daily.