A new bill requiring social media platforms, data controllers and data processors operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country has passed first reading in the Senate.

The proposed bill, titled “A Bill to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, LFN, to make it mandatory for social media platforms and matters to establish physical offices within the territorial limits of the Federal Republic of Nigeria “, aims to improve compliance with global data protection standards and boost Nigeria’s economic and security landscape.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta), who sponsored the bill, said the amendment was also aimed at improving timely resolution of complaints and to strengthen stakeholder confidence.

Amendments to the NDPC Act

Senator Nwoko said he had proposed in the bill that section 5 of the NDPC Act, 2023 be amended by the addition of a new section P.

“It shall read that the commission shall mandate all data controllers, processors or operators of social media platforms to establish and maintain a physical office located within the territorial limits of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Failure to comply with this requirement for a continuous period of 30 days will render the entity liable to be prohibited from conducting operations within the jurisdiction of Nigeria,” it said.

He further proposed that Section 65 of the Principal Act be amended by adding new terms and their interpretations.

“They should read that data controllers mean the entities that determine the purposes and means of the processing of personal data and bear legal responsibility for compliance with data protection laws,” he said.

• He explained that, in the context of the Bill, processors means entities that process personal data on behalf of a data controller based on specific instructions and without autonomy as to the purposes or means treatment.
• Nwoko said physical offices as mentioned in the bill means a fixed and operational business location within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• He said they should be staffed and empowered to collaborate with regulators, stakeholders and the public in an effort to fulfill their legal and operational obligations.

“Social media platform operators are legal entities or entities responsible for owning, managing or controlling digital platforms that facilitate user interaction, content sharing or communication,” it said. added.

What you need to know

The amendment builds on Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, 2023, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June last year. Africa.

• Requiring physical offices should facilitate better monitoring and interaction between social media platforms, users and regulators, potentially reducing data-related litigation and increasing accountability.
• If passed, the law could also boost job creation and investment in Nigeria, as businesses will need to establish local infrastructure to comply with regulations.
• The bill now moves to further readings in the Senate, where it will be debated and further refined.

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