The National Information Technology Development Agency has raised its concerns over messaging app WhatsApp’s privacy policy.

“The National Information Technology Development Agency under Section 6 (f) of the NITDA Act 2007 wishes to provide this advisory to Nigerians to address Nigerian concerns on changes to Whatsapp Terms of Service and Privacy Policy which took effect on May 15, 2021,” it said.

This is contained in the statement released on Monday titled ‘Whatsapp privacy policy changes: Implication for Nigerian users.’ It was signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at the agency, Hadiza Umar.

The statement acknowledged that Whatsapp users were free to decide whether they want to give their consent to the processing of their data based on the new privacy policy.

“The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) recognises consent (a clear, unambiguous expression of privacy terms communicated by the controller and accepted by the Data Subject) as one of the lawful basis for data processing. Acceptance of the new privacy policy and terms of use implies that user data would now be shared with Facebook and other third parties,” the statement said.

The agency urged Nigerians to explore other messaging platforms beyond Whatsapp and advised that sharing sensitive personal information on private messaging and social media platforms be limited, given WhatsApps affiliation to Facebook and its history with user data sharing.

The agency added that it would continue engaging with Facebook as they “have given them our opinion on areas to improve compliance with the NDPR. We have also raised concerns as to the marked difference between the privacy standard applicable in Europe, under the GDPR and the rest of the world.”

Since 2016, WhatsApp’s privacy policies have permitted the application to share metadata such as user phone numbers, device information, and location, among others, with Facebook involved in legal tussles over privacy concerns.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, urged the Senate to approve a new external loan of N2,343,387,942,848.00, about $6.183billion, for the Federal Government to finance the 2021 budget deficit.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Mr Buhari’s letter of request on the floor of the Senate at plenary.

More details later…

According to Sahara Reporters, Some Nigerians staying in South American countries and some European countries are set to join a protest in Paris, the French capital today over the insecurity and poor policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The protest, codenamed #HarassBuhariOutofParis, has been slated for 12pm Paris time, which is being mobilised by various groups and individuals including former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Reno Omokri.

A Nigerian has confirmed he is flying in from Rio De Janeiro from Brazil into Paris for the protest while others are joining in from other European countries contiguous to France.

On Monday, Omokri called for the #HarassBuhariOutofParis protest in the wake of Buhari leaving Nigeria for Paris on Sunday to attend the African Finance Summit.

The protesting Nigerians are angry that President Buhari left the chaotic state of Nigeria burning with insecurity and failed leadership, only to attend the Africa Finance Summit In Paris, France in a four-day visit.

“Get ready to join us today for #HarassBuhariOutofParis by 12 noon Paris time, at the Temporary Exhibition Centre, front of the Eiffel Tower. Buhari can’t be globetrotting, while Nigeria is drifting. He should back and fix Nigeria! And if he can’t do it, let him honourably resign

“This made my day. This is a patriot. Flying all the way from Rio de Janeiro to join the #HarassBuhariOutofParis protest tomorrow, 12 noon, at the Temporary Exhibition Centre, at the Eiffel Tower. @MBuhari can’t be globetrotting, while Nigeria is drifting. Go back and fix Nigeria,” Omokri said on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

On April 2, a crowd of Nigerians in the United Kingdom had also stormed the Abuja House, 2 Campden Hill, Kensington, London, demanding that President Buhari, then on medical leave, immediately return home.

#HarassBuhariOutOfLondon had trended after the president departed Nigeria for the UK to undergo a medical checkup.

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had also advised Nigerians in the UK to occupy the London hospital where President Buhari planned to have his medical checkup.

Sowore had described the medical trip to London as a waste of resources, noting that the President should do his checkup in the “world-class” hospital he built in Nigeria since he came to power.