The News
- The Ghana Cybersecurity Authority (GCA) has revealed 38 digital lending mobile applications engaging in cyberbullying.
- Per the authority, 130 reports have been received in 2024 signifying a resurgence in cases of cyberbullying experienced by the users of the digital lending apps.
- The authority highlighted that the apps contravened the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institution Act, 2016 (ACT 930).
It added that the owners of the apps had not met the compliance obligations of the Data Protection Commission (DPC). Consequently, their access to their use of data and personal identifiable information(PII) of the users violates the Data Protection Act, 2012 ( ACT 843).
The authority clarified that victims tend to grant the apps access to their data including contacts, photo, and their PII, including the Ghana identity card, during installation.
While narrating the modus operandi, the authority disclosed that when a user installs the app, he’s automatically credited with a certain amount in his mobile money wallet without even requesting a loan.
Subsequently, a week later, the ‘fraudsters’ are said to engage in extortion tactics such as demanding high-interest loan repayments from the victim or an associate, threatening to share actual or fabricated nude photos on social media, and blackmailing the victim by labelling them as a thief or wanted criminal.
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It emphasised that some fraudsters persist in demanding further payments even after the victims have already paid. The authority cautioned against the apps adding that individuals who seek their services do so at their own risk.
In August 2022, the Bank of Ghana observed that several unlicensed entities were providing loans, identifying these activities as non-adherence to consumer protection requirements and abuse of consumer data and privacy laws. The bank revealed it would take legal action against the unlicensed entities.
https://techpoint.africa/2024/01/09/fccpcs-irukera-fired-president-nigeria/
Also, In January 2023, the GCA released the list of some digital lenders engaging in cyberbullying.
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