The of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ibrahim Pantami, over debunked some sections of media insinuations that it is planing to connect devices to the ministry’s system to monitor phone calls and social media activities of Nigerians.
While refuting the claim, the ministry said such news should be regarded as fake news the stories circulating on social media which implies that all devices are now connected to the ministry’s systems and that effective tomorrow, it will commence the recording of phone calls and the monitoring of all social media platforms and fora.
Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, Spokesperson, for the Minister in a statement, said the malicious message also further discourages citizens from sharing any messages or videos with political or religious content as it is now officially a crime and could even lead to arrest.
She said: “The office of the Minister, initially ignored the message which has been in the public domain for sometime, so as not to give undue attention to the originators but its spread, the efforts of well meaning Nigerians to get clarity and the need to ensure that all Nigerians are properly informed, has necessitated this disclaimer/public awareness.
“We are at a point in our nation’s history where the focus is on digitalizing the Nigerian economy for the greater good of all, and divisive messages such as these are mere distractions.”
The statement said it is on record that Pantami, as the then Director General of NITDA, initiated and passed the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR January 25th 2019) which solely exists to protect the privacy rights of every individual.
The Minister, according to the statement enjoins all Nigerians, to disregard the propaganda which is aimed at inciting fear, and creating public confusion.
“Under the leadership of Dr Pantami, the ministry is mandated to leverage on technology for a digital economy, and will not engage in acts that would sabotage its mandate.
“The office of the Minister, calls on all Nigerians to ignore all and any instructions contained in the message, and further help in tackling this ignoble act by immediately deleting the message to curb its spread.” Suleiman added.