Γεια σας,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Another NIN-SIM linkage deadline extension?
- 4 reasons FCCPC is suing Meta for $220M
- MyTherapistng to offer micro-health insurance
Another NIN-SIM linkage deadline extension?
Heads up, folks! The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is ensuring all telcos reactivate customer lines that got deactivated over the weekend due to issues with linking NINs to SIM cards.
If you haven’t linked your NIN yet, now’s the time to do it because reactivated lines won’t stay active for long.
The NCC has been pushing back deadlines for this exercise that kicked off in December 2020. This year, they first moved it from February 28, 2024, to April 15, then to July 31. Now, they’ve added yet another extension to give people more time since the recent deactivations have affected businesses and daily life.
The aim is to tidy up the SIM ownership database for better national security.
But there’s been drama: Remember MTN Nigeria users reported their SIMs were blocked even though they’d submitted their NINs.
Well, some people are speculating that telcos might be in cahoots with the Federal Government to mess with the August 1 protest. The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), though, says those claims are just rumours.
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Meanwhile, Airtel Africa has warned that the NIN verification process could cost them up to $4 million a month in revenue.
4 reasons FCCPC is suing Meta for $220M
Meta’s in hot water with a massive $220 million fine from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) after a three-year investigation.
The probe revealed that between May 2021 and December 2023, Meta’s WhatsApp broke Nigerian laws, including the FCCPC Act 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
But Meta isn’t taking this lying down; it plans to appeal the fine.
So, what’s the drama? The FCCPC’s detailed 116-page report accuses WhatsApp of seriously mishandling user data and ignoring privacy laws. The Commission says WhatsApp's practices are both exploitative and non-compliant.
One major red flag is WhatsApp’s data collection. While apps like Signal and Telegram keep things minimal, WhatsApp is scooping up a whopping 44 points of data.
This excessive collection enables device fingerprinting, which tracks and identifies devices based on their unique features—even if users try to hide their tracks.
Device fingerprinting can be handy for remembering preferences and boosting security, but it’s also pretty invasive. Unlike cookies, which users can clear or block, device fingerprints are harder to dodge. This means WhatsApp could be following Nigerian users around the Internet without their consent.
When the FCCPC asked WhatsApp for a detailed log of collected data, the company didn’t comply. Instead, WhatsApp gave a vague reply, claiming consent isn’t necessary.
What’s more, the FCCPC’s findings suggest that while device fingerprinting might make sense for financial apps or eCommerce sites, it seems overkill for a messaging app like WhatsApp. For details on the other three reasons behind the fine, check out Bolu's latest story.
MyTherapistng partners WellaHealth to offer micro-health insurance
MyTherapistng, a Nigerian mental healthtech startup, just hit 5,000 users and has teamed up with WellaHealth to offer micro-health insurance.
This means users can now get added health coverage, including telemedicine and screenings for malaria, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Why does it matter? Nigeria, with over 200 million people, faces a big mental health challenge, but only 10.4% of those with severe disorders get treatment. Health insurance is also scarce, with only 3% of the population covered.
The new partnership with WellaHealth will be available initially for corporate clients, providing a comprehensive health package that includes mental and physical health support.
Founded in October 2022 by Oluwasun Raphael Afolayan (CTO) and Dedoyin Ajayi (CEO), MyTherapistng offers therapy in video, text, and audio formats, with special rates for students.
They’re also working on new features like community support groups and student discounts. They've expanded to several countries and are adding more multilingual therapists to better serve their diverse user base.
The company is also looking at future partnerships with other health tech firms and HMOs to further enhance healthcare access and support.
In case you missed it
- Lawsuit over MultiChoice Nigeria subscription hikes withdrawn, case closed
What I'm watching
- Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell (1927)
Opportunities
- Are you a tech professional in Africa? Take a few minutes to fill this questionnaire about your job among others. You also stand a chance at winning 100 Euros.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles in many countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, India, and Egypt. Apply here.
- Ventures Platform has over 100 job openings across its portfolio companies. Apply here.
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
