Do you know that when an app makes request to access the contacts on your phone, it gives them access to a lot of things about your contacts?
Have you ever had privacy violated by digital loan apps and you couldn’t do anything about it.
If you have, then you certainly will get a relief from what you are about to read.
Looking at how predatory digital loan apps have operated within the country thus far, the Federal Government and Google have perfected plans on how to safeguard customers’ privacy.
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The policy, which comes into effect on May 31, also applies to other countries.
Google will prohibit apps from accessing sensitive user data such as photos, videos, contacts, precise location data, and call logs
This came as the Federal Government said it would enforce the latest policy by Google.
It says the action is consistent with the Nigerian authorities’ move to curtail the invasion of customers’ privacy by loan app firms.
The Federal Government had in recent time registered 170 loan apps out of the 200 operating in the country a major decisions aimed at tackling the violation of customers’ privacy by loan apps.
In a statement, Google explained that the new policy would address issues of misuse of personal data by some loan apps.
It reads: “Apps that provide personal loans, or have the primary purpose of facilitating access to personal loans (i.e., lead generators or facilitators), are prohibited from accessing sensitive data, such as photos and contacts
“This policy applies to apps which offer loans directly, lead generators and those who connect consumers with third-party lenders”
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Google, in its April 2023 policy updates, said the new policy update would provide respite for loan app users in Nigeria and other places that have become accustomed to crude loan retrieval methods employed by a majority of loan apps.
