SERAP Sues CBN Over Bank Customers’ Social Media Demand Policy

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), through a press release on Sunday, 23rd July, revealed that the body has taken legal action against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for giving banks directive to demand for their customers’ social media information for identification purpose.

SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, Stated that the directive is against the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

SERAP revealed that the policy does not have any legal backup and it also violates the citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

The body also Stated that information about bank customers can be obtained from the following documents; Bank Verification Number, driver’s licence, passports, Tax Identification Number which banks demanded from their customers before opening and upgrading their account.

Part of the filed suit by SERAP reads;

“Obtaining information on customers’ social media handles or addresses as means of identification is more intrusive than necessary.”

“According to Section 6(a)(iv) of the CBN Regulations, banks and other financial institutions ‘shall identify their customer and obtain information on the social media handle of the customer.’ Section 6(b)(iii) contains similar provisions.”

“The purported mandatory requirement would inhibit Nigerians from freely exercising their human rights online. If obtained, such information may also be misused for political and other unlawful purposes.” It reads.