SERAP, a group well known for holding the government accountable through law suits, has recently filed a new case against the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).
The legal action comes after CBN failed to stop asking banks to collect customers’ social media handles as part of their Know-Your-Customer (KYC) details.
SERAP argues that demanding social media handles infringes on citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and privacy. People already provide other identification details like passports, drivers licenses, BVN and TIN numbers to banks.
In the lawsuit, SERAP is seeking court orders to compel CBN to withdraw its directive mandating banks to obtain social media details from customers. SERAP also wants the court to strike down the clause in CBN’s regulations requiring social media handles.
SERAP argues that social media handles should not be mandatory as the information may be used to unjustifiably restrict freedom of speech and privacy rights.
If the requested court orders are granted, it will stop CBN from enforcing the directive asking banks to collect customers’ social media details.
SERAP believes there are other sufficient means to identify customers aside from social media handles. The group argues the additional requirement fails the tests of legality, necessity and proportionality.
No hearing date has been scheduled by the court yet for this lawsuit.
