Uber has affirmed its stance against sharing riders’ personal data with the Lagos State Government, amid recent tensions over data sharing protocols.
While acknowledging the need to cooperate with the government as previously agreed, the company’s decision has sparked concerns among riders who fear potential government surveillance through data shared by Uber and similar ride-hailing services.
In response to inquiries from Nairametrics, Uber Nigeria’s Country Manager, Tope Akinwunmi, clarified that the company is only sharing aggregated trip data as stipulated in the Data Sharing Agreement, ensuring the protection of users’ personally identifiable information and compliance with data protection laws and global standards.
Addressing past misunderstandings that led to car impoundments, Akinwunmi stated Uber’s commitment to API integration, with communicated timelines to the government, to streamline data-sharing processes by the agreed terms.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, explained that the government’s insistence on data sharing is aimed at enhancing the security and safety of e-hailing services. API integration facilitates reliable verification of drivers and passengers, ensuring adherence to background checks, vehicle inspections, and licensing requirements, thus minimizing risks associated with unauthorized or unqualified individuals operating as drivers.
Furthermore, the introduction of API integration enables real-time tracking, allowing the government to respond swiftly in emergencies, and bolstering user protection. Osiyemi highlighted the global trend of API integration for real-time data sharing during trips, positioning Lagos State as a trailblazer in Nigeria for adopting such practices.
