Google has quietly pulled out of a major legal fight in Uganda. The big tech withdrew its appeal against a landmark ruling by the country’s regulator, the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), and accepted the obligations laid out under the ruling. Under the 2025 decision, Google was found to be operating in Uganda without proper registration as a “data controller” and transferring Ugandans’ personal data abroad without meeting required local safeguards.
The original verdict ordered Google to register with the PDPO, appoint a Uganda-based Data Protection Officer, and present a compliant framework for cross-border transfers. By ending its appeal, Google is effectively saying it will comply with these demands, signalling that Uganda’s data-privacy laws apply, even to global tech giants.
This flip matters far beyond just one company. With increased enforcement across Africa, regulators are showing they’re serious about safeguarding citizens’ digital rights. Uganda isn’t alone: countries like Nigeria have likewise cracked down on big tech. For example, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) fined Meta in 2025 for alleged violations related to behavioural advertising, a sign that privacy enforcement is becoming a continental trend.
For everyday Internet users in Uganda, this could translate into stronger protections: more oversight over how their data is used, stricter control over data exports, and a more accountable digital ecosystem. And for tech companies, the move reminds global platforms that operating in African markets comes with obligations, not just opportunities.
