When asked to consent to a privacy policy, most people quickly hit “Agree” without hesitation. Legal jargon is tedious, and the alternative—declining—often results in annoying pop-ups that disrupt usage.
With WhatsApp’s latest policy update making headlines, the question arises: do many Africans truly care about changes to privacy policies? Without the initial uproar from a few vocal users who scrutinized the terms, would most of us have even noticed?
To understand this better, I asked a few WhatsApp users in Africa for their perspectives.
Diverse Views on Privacy Policies
Justin*, a Nigerian analyst, sees the trade-off as acceptable. “It’s the price I pay for using WhatsApp for free. As long as my data isn’t abused, I’m okay with it,” he said.
Amahle*, a South African media professional, was more cynical, suggesting the backlash was overblown. “We’ve always known WhatsApp shares our data with Facebook. The uproar is just media sensationalism.”
Meanwhile, Abina*, a teacher from Ghana, expressed discomfort with the data-sharing policy but admitted it wasn’t enough to make her stop using the app.
Why Privacy Should Matter
Even if the notion of companies profiting from your data doesn’t concern you, it’s crucial to realize how this data shapes decisions that affect your life. It can impact your reputation, subtly influence your choices, and alter your behavior.
Ben Wizner of the American Civil Liberties Union emphasizes this, saying, “There exists a collection of data for each of us that, if exposed, could cause immense harm or even ruin our personal and professional lives.”
In essence, privacy is about respecting individuals’ rights. Ignoring someone’s desire for privacy without a compelling reason is disrespectful.
Africa’s Approach to Data Protection
Across the continent, only 28 of 53 African nations have implemented data protection laws, and the progress remains gradual. This suggests that many Africans still adopt a passive stance toward privacy issues.
The Value of Personal Data
Africa is a thriving market for technology, and data mined from its population fetches significant value globally. Ironically, Africans are often denied the basic data protections enjoyed elsewhere.
In 2018, U.S. companies reportedly spent $19 billion acquiring and analyzing consumer data, from search engine queries to personal contact details.
This data is collected through various means—some overt and others subtle. In some cases, users provide their information willingly. In others, the specifics are hidden behind unreadable agreements or collected without consent.
One notable incident occurred in 2017 when Nigerian Daniel John sued Swedish firm True Software Scandinavia AB for publishing his name and phone number without permission. John wasn’t a registered user of their app, Truecaller, making the breach a clear violation of his privacy.
What Is Your Data Really Worth?
According to Financial Times’ data value calculator, basic demographics like age and gender are worth less than $1 per person. However, detailed behavioral insights—such as fitness habits, travel patterns, or parental status—boost the value significantly.
In simple terms, the more specific and behavioral your data, the more profitable it is to those collecting it.
Why Africans Often Don’t Care
Despite these realities, many Africans remain indifferent to privacy concerns. The reasons range from a lack of understanding of data protection’s importance to the resigned acceptance that social media isn’t truly “free”—our data is the cost.
Names have been changed for anonymity.
