NITDA to begin enforcement of public Internet Access Services compliance

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has said it is ready to enforce compliance with the Public Internet Access (PIA) Regulation in the country. This is just as the Federal Government ha
 
According to the agency in a statement signed by its Director General, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, the move is in line with its mandate of promoting and regulating Information Technology in Nigeria.
 
At several forums, government officials have expressed concerns over the management and use of the personal information of Nigerians.  
 
The PIA Regulation is a regulatory framework for the provision of internet services in public areas or locations where members of the public have unfettered access.
 
It provides minimum requirements and processes for provisioning of the public internet access service and mandates compliance reporting to ensure the rules is followed in provisioning of this vital and strategic service.
 
“It is on these considerations that all service providers of public internet service such as IT companies, Restaurants, Hotels and Event Centresare directed to comply with the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation of the NITDA 2019, issued pursuant to Section 6 of the NITDA 2007. Henceforth, only registered, verified and vetted providers can provide public internet access service in Nigeria.
 
Current and prospecting providers are therefore required to register with the Agency in line with the provisions of the Public Internet Access Regulation, 2019 and must submit, on a bi-annual basis, completed compliance reporting forms in the manner prescribed by NITDA.
 
It should be noted that violation of the Regulatory Guidelines of NITDA is a criminal offence and punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both. Members of the public and operators of public internetaccess service are advised to comply promptly and accordingly,” the statement said.
 
The Agency commended operators who are currently providing this service across the country saying their service increases the use of internet and Information Technology.
 
The DG added, “It is, however, pertinent to note that this service can be misused with great detriment to development of Information Technology and national security, in a manner that may be injurious to the citizens.”
 
 
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is a Federal Government Agency established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country.
 

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