The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers’ fundamental rights in the complex era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as highlighted by Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO.
Dr. Maida emphasized the importance of safeguarding consumers’ rights and values in the rapidly evolving AI landscape during the celebration of World Consumer Rights Day in 2024. He stressed the significance of consumers in any business and the necessity of their protection.
World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15th, aims to raise awareness about consumer rights globally and prevent unfair trade practices. With the rise of AI and cybersecurity challenges posed by the Internet of Things (IoT), Dr. Maida called for collaboration among academia, industry, government, and society to ensure that AI systems prioritize ethics and inclusivity.
The NCC chairman highlighted the crucial role that Telecom consumers in Nigeria play in the telecommunications ecosystem, leading to the evolution of new consumer rights over the years. These rights include privacy, quality of service, timely redress, action on disputed charges, fair complaint processes, and accurate billing to protect consumers.
He stated, “The theme for this year’s World Consumer Rights Day, ‘Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer,’ reflects the Commission’s dedication to addressing the legal and regulatory challenges posed by AI integration.”
Dr. Maida stressed the importance of existing laws, new regulations, and ethical considerations to ensure that AI benefits society while upholding fundamental rights and values.
He also mentioned that the NCC has implemented consumer-centric initiatives to address telecom consumer complaints in line with its commitment to consumer protection.
These initiatives include the Consumer Complaints Management (CCM) system, the NCC Toll-free line 622, the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Code 2442, the Consumer Portal, and the Commission Consumer X account @Consumersncc. Additionally, the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution, and Enquiries (TELCARE) platform at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja provides consumers with a channel to make inquiries and advocate on telecom issues.
The Harmonized Short Codes initiative allows consumers to access services across all networks using the same codes.
The NCC’s strategic roadmap prioritizes consumer protection, with a focus on the Protect, Inform, and Educate (PIE) Mandate to promote innovation and safeguard consumers’ rights in the advancing AI landscape.
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