Tech News
Public institutions to digitize databases in 60 days, NITDA orders
Controlling sensitive data is a position of trust that requires adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards, in line with global practices and secure technological innovation, as the data is of public importance.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has given a 60-day deadline for public institutions holding or processing personal data to securely digitize all databases.
This will be done in adherence to the highest level of information security, ensuring confidentiality, integrity and resilience of all databases within such institutions’ control.
According to a press release that was signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head of NITDA’s Corporate Affairs and External Relations, and made available on the website, this directive is part of the Guideline for Management of Personal Data by Public Institutions in Nigeria 2020. Part of the statement said:
“All Public Institutions holding or processing personal data are required to securely digitize all personal databases within 60 days from the issuance of the Guidelines.
“Similarly, all such public institutions are required to maintain the highest level of information security to guarantee confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience of all databases within their control.”
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The guidelines are to be considered supplementary regulations to the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), 2019, which is still considered valid and binding on all Nigerian individuals and institutions.
Controlling such sensitive data is a position of trust that requires adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards, in line with global practices and secure technological innovation, as the data is of public importance.
The new guidelines “also mandates the use of secure technology and automated processes for personal data by Public Institutions, in line with the requirements of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy,” and in consonance with emerging global data regulatory models.
READ ALSO: Surviving the looming recession in the Nigerian tech space
Collaboration for interventions
There will sometimes be a need for collaborations between the public and the private sectors in handling interventions for the benefits of citizens, and this could necessitate the use or release of such data.
The new NITDA guidelines recognise this and provides a framework that will ensure the privacy of citizens’ data without hindering the process.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has brought up the need for more personal data use to limit the spread of the virus. While we recognise the existence of constitutional limitations on privacy rights in the interest of public health and safety, yet such limitations must be based on defined frameworks,” the statement read.
NITDA urged compliance from all concerned institutions, stressing that “the Agency shall not hesitate to invoke the punitive sanctions provided in the NITDA Act 2007 and NDPR in the event of breach or abuse of personal data of Nigerians.”
READ MORE: Equities: CBN’s heterodox policies is driving domestic investors’ to the stock market.
What you should know
NITDA, the apex regulatory body for Information Technology in Nigeria, issued Nigeria’s first comprehensive framework for the protection of personal data, the NDPR 2019, to provide a framework for the protection and processing of personal data of Nigerians and residents.
The agency functions under the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and is charged with the task of monitoring the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions in Nigeria.
Tech News
Tiktok’s In-App revenue surges amid lockdown
ByteDance Ltd’s brainchild, TikTok, together with Douyin ranking tops globally on mobile apps with the highest revenue generated for the month of April.
The meme-making business has proven to be worth all the fuss, with TikTok, as well as its Chinese twin app, Douyin, ranking tops globally on mobile apps with the highest revenue generated for the month of April.
Sensor Tower, notes that just in the first quarter of this year, ByteDance Ltd’s brainchild, TikTok, together with Douyin which caters to the Chinese market, generated 315 million downloads globally, from the 187 million it had just a year earlier.
The ranking, which was based on their in-app purchases, reveal a tenfold increase, as the companies garnered a whopping $78 million in revenue. The Chinese market is said to have contributed 86.6% of Douyin’s revenue, followed by the U.S market which contributed 8.2%.
This places them ahead of older names like Netflix & YouTube. As opposed to using subscriptions like these established brands, TikTok and Douyin allow users to purchase virtual currency to spend on their favorite content creators.
(READ MORE: Does YouTube stand a chance against TikTok?)
While ByteDance is exploring the world of online commerce, it continues to rely on advertising as its primary income source. However, Emarketer projects that more than 75 million US social network users will make at least one purchase from a social channel in the year 2020.
Economy & Politics
Fayemi set to activate digital economy with N5billion broadband infrastructure
Governor Fayemi plans to activate Ekiti state’s digital economy, this would help generate healthy competition within the ICT sector
Ekiti state government has concluded plans to create a digital hub, with the laying of a 606-kilometer broadband infrastructure.
The project is expected to lift the state from 16% internet penetration to 90% and is estimated to be worth N5 billion, with the Federal Government contributing N1.1 billion of the total sum.
Digital economy: Ekiti to lay 606km broadband infrastructure – https://t.co/Ot67wFn6yL pic.twitter.com/ligXcgeQDM
— Government of Ekiti State (@ekitistategov) May 24, 2020
This plan is part of the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which the state Governor signed with O’odua Infraco Resources Limited, a consortium that develops high speed and efficient Fibre Optic Cable (FOC) Open Access Network (OAN) across the South-West region of Nigeria.
According to the Managing Director of O’odua Infraco Resources Limited, Mr Sammy Adigun, the project will be officially flagged off in October and completed within 14 months.
(READ MORE: What Nigeria stands to gain from new National Broadband Plan)
This decision is a follow-up to the recent crash of Right of Way charges from N4,500 to N145 per meter for broadband infrastructure, and in line with one of the five pillars of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s development plan for Ekiti state.
The Governor noted that these decisions would help generate healthy competition within the ICT sector, thus activating Ekiti state’s digital economy and digital education.
Fayemi noted that the project execution, as well as the broadband policy in the state would be coordinated and supervised by a Digital Infrastructural Committee, made up of various relevant government institutions critical to the implementation of the project.
READ MORE: NCC, Infracos to boost broadband infrastructure with N265 billion
“For us the roadmap is first the fibre connectivity itself, the second is the adequate data center infrastructure, the third is the e-learning programme which will cover our educational institutions, then our safe city, our security programme will also be included.
“With our geographical land information system (GIS), we would digitalize all our land records, and of course, commercial investment as well as digitalisation of our government assets and our health education initiative,” Fayemi explained.
Business News
Tweeters can now decide who replies their tweet – Twitter
While some Twitter users commended this new feature as it is a good way to minimise the vitriol that often characterise social media, others have expressed worries that the feature could allow unverified news to spread unchecked.
Twitter has announced plans to roll out a new feature that will allow users to decide who replies to their tweets. The new feature is currently being tested globally, but with only selected users in every country. The product will be launched for all Twitter users soon.
Testing, testing…
A new way to have a convo with exactly who you want. We’re starting with a small % globally, so keep your 👀 out to see it in action. pic.twitter.com/pV53mvjAVT
— Twitter (@Twitter) May 20, 2020
How it works
This feature, which some Twitter followers have described as “Mind your business feature”, will provide users with three options whenever they compose a tweet. See the options below:
“Compose a tweet, and @mention the people you want to talk to. Tap the permission settings, choose who can reply; everyone, people you follow or only people you mention”.
Note that only people that fall within the selected option can reply to the tweet, but everyone can see, like or retweet the conversation.
(READ MORE: A holistic approach to Nigeria’s power and agricultural sector challenges)
What this could mean
When this feature is fully launched, it could see a lot of transformations in the way people use this social media. Individuals and brands alike can now conveniently interact with selected persons, without having to deal with distractions from other users commenting or distorting the conversation thread.
As tweet chats, fireside chats, and twitter interviews go more viral, this option could allow for more coordinated conversations with only invited participants. Users who want to input their comments could retweet with comments, but their comments would not be directly seen on the twitter thread.
People’s Reactions
While some Twitter users commended this new feature as it is a good way to minimise the vitriol that often characterise social media, others have expressed worries that the feature could allow unverified news to spread unchecked.
Some say it’s a way to stop potential harassers from replying.
(READ MORE: Suspension of sporting activities has greatly impacted government revenue – Akin Alabi)
Do you guy even debate these things in your strategy meetings? Or have people with opposing views? Do you know the amount of people that are gonna spread fake news but won't be called out on it thanks to this feature? .. don't fix what's not broken
— Cameron (@green_terro) May 20, 2020
There are also some users who were concerned about how this feature could affect engagements on chats and conversations.
Replies are what makes Twitter interesting. Imagine IG without Twitter screenshots. pic.twitter.com/Bd3V2tPbt6
— Arnoldi -#StayAtHomeSave Lives (@arnoldi254) May 20, 2020
Although this feature could help prevent replies from trollers and prevent harassment, some Twitter users expressed fears that the presence of the retweeting feature could take the trolling and harassment to a whole new level.
Considering the series of reactions and responses to this development, Twitter may choose to take constructive comments into consideration before the eventual launch of the feature.
