Protecting Consumers’ Privacy In Data-driven AI Age

Data breach, the release of confidential, private, or otherwise sensitive information into an unsecured environment, has been a trend in Nigeria.

According to Surfshark, a cybersecurity firm, data breach incidences in Nigeria increased by 64 per cent in Q1 of 2023, recording 82,000 cases of data breaches in Q1 2023, up from 50,000 recorded in Q4 2022.

With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) however, studies have predicted a worse scenario. For instance, the latest report from Computer Crime Research Center (CCRC) has predicted that the threat landscape surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expanding aggressively where attackers use sophisticated linguistic techniques, including increased text volume, punctuation, and sentence length. 

The trend suggests that generative AI allows threat actors to craft sophisticated and targeted attacks at speed and scale, it stated.

“And as we move forward in 2024 and 2025 the market will see threat actors adopting AI to expand every aspect of their offensive toolkit. AI will be adopted to deliver more cost-efficient, rapid development of new malware and ransomware variants.

“Deepfake technologies will take phishing and impersonation attacks to a new level. Businesses will embrace AI but will be threatened by its use in novel cyberattacks. There is also a risk that the dynamic character of AI-driven attacks could make static defense mechanisms ineffective,” the report explained.

Fair, Responsible AI For Consumers

Every year, on March 15th, World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the rights of consumers worldwide and protect them from unfair trade practices.

With the huge threats posed by AI, the theme for this years’ edition of World Consumer Rights Day is “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Consumers.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in alignment with the global trend has also adopted the theme for this years’ edition, the executive vice chairman/chief executive office, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida averred, while affirming that the theme of this year will be an integral part of NCC’s activities considering that AI is a force that is shaping the future in profound ways. 

“AI holds incredible potential to improve our lives, but it also challenges us to think critically about how we harness this power responsibly. Our continuous resolve to Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) the telecom consumer is unwavering, particularly as AI technologies continue to advance, there is need to foster innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights, values, and dignity of consumers,” he explained.

The NCC boss, who was represented by the executive commissioner, Technical Services Designate at NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, at the 2024 World Consumer Right Day in Abuja, added that “With AI inordinate power, comes great obligation. As we celebrate the advancements in AI, we must also grapple with ethical questions. How do we ensure that AI systems are fair and unbiased? How do we protect privacy in an age of data-driven AI? These are complex issues that require careful consideration.”

To this effect, the NCC boss urged AI developers to be transparent about the data, algorithms, and models used in AI systems. “This ensures that decisions made by AI can be explained and mistakes can be fixed to ensure everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their background. This helps prevent biased decisions or discrimination thereby promoting inclusivity and equality.

“Protecting citizens’ privacy is extremely important when using AI. Organisations should handle personal data responsibly, following strict privacy regulations. Respecting privacy builds trust in AI systems.

“Responsible AI requires mechanisms for holding systems accountable and explaining their decisions. Consumers should understand how AI systems work and have a way to address issues or biases,” he asserted.

On ensuring telecoms consumers’ satisfaction, Maida said since the rollout of 5G services in Nigeria, there has been a steady growth in the development and deployment AI systems and services and the Commission has been constantly ensuring that the growth is the right direction that guarantees value addition to Consumer satisfaction and experience as well as ensuring economic growth.

Regulatory Challenges

Though, AI has huge potential, Maida regretted that developing regulations and policies to govern AI deployment can be complex, as well as playing catch up due to technological advancements. 

Although most legislative and governing bodies are looking to regulate this technology, there has been continuous struggle to strike the right balance between risk mitigation and stifling innovation, while promoting innovation and ensuring security and trust, he affirmed. 

“In this era that has seen the rise of AI and IoT cybersecurity, it is important to break silos and foster collaboration of the Quadruple Helix Innovation model comprising of the academia, the industry, government and society to share ideas. AI developers and regulators have to ensure AI system algorithms consider, ethics and inclusivity.

“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and transforming the way we live and work. However, as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into various aspects of society, so they bring forth a complex web of legal and regulatory challenges. Navigating this uncharted territory requires a careful examination of existing laws, the development of new regulations, and ethical considerations to ensure that AI benefits society without compromising fundamental rights and values,” he recommended.

Consumer-centric Initiatives

While the theme of this years’ World Consumer Right Day is on Fair and Responsible AI for the Consumer, Maida said the Commission’s special interest and commitment is to Consumer Protection, as it has proactively put in place consumer-centric initiatives to deal with first level complaints by the telecom consumer. 

“These initiatives include the Consumer Complaints Management (CCM), through which various channels of lodging complaints were created, the NCC Toll-free line 622 available between 8:00am to 8:00pm daily except on Sundays and Public Holidays, the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Code 2442, for stopping unsolicited messages.

“Other initiatives include the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE), at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, an additional platform to enhance awareness of the Commission’s activities, make enquiries on consumer complaints and also for advocacy on any thematic telecom issues or concern. 

“Also not to overlook the most recent, the Harmonised Short Codes initiative which enables consumers to use the same codes to access services across all networks. Recall that one major focus area of the strategic roadmap of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s current Management is the Consumer,” he disclosed.

In the same vein, the deputy director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mr Clem Omife, said at the NCC, telecom consumers are kings because they provide the major drive and essence of our activities.

As kings, NCC has prioritised consumer education, which also form a major tool for promoting consumer rights, Omife said, adding that, “The Commission continues to engage with consumers and consumer issues using it various outreach programmes such the Telecom Consumer Parliament, Telecom Consumer Conversations: Market Conversation, Village Square Dialogue, Campus Conversation, NYSC Camp Sensitisation Town Hall on Radio. We have also published the Telecom Consumer Handbook and transcribed into Braille for the visually-impaired.

“Also, the Commission- is in the final process of deploying the Automated Consumer Complaints Management system, which will further expand the complaints channels and improve complaints resolutions even at first level with service providers.”