The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), represented by National Commissioner and CEO Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has joined a coalition of international data protection authorities to issue a formal Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy. Released on February 23, 2026, the global directive responds to serious concerns regarding artificial intelligence systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent. While acknowledging the benefits of AI, the co-signatories warned that these easily accessible tools have enabled the creation of defamatory content and non-consensual intimate imagery, posing severe cyber-bullying and exploitation risks to children and other vulnerable groups.
To combat this significant global risk, the NDPC and its international counterparts are reminding organisations that AI content generation systems must be developed in strict accordance with data protection and privacy rules. The joint statement outlines crucial expectations for AI developers, demanding that they implement robust safeguards, ensure meaningful transparency about system capabilities, and provide accessible mechanisms for the rapid removal of harmful personal content. The coalition is calling on all organisations to proactively engage with regulators from the outset to ensure that rapid technological advancements do not come at the expense of privacy, safety, and fundamental human dignity.
