According to the Commission, if nothing is done about it, it may hinder economic progress.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta made the declaration at the 106th edition of consumer outreach programme in Benin, Edo State.
He said in line with the commission’s mandate to continuously educate and enlighten the consumers on issues concerning the industry, the theme of this event: “Mitigating Effects of Cyber crimes: The Roles of Telecom Consumers,” was carefully chosen in order to sensitize telecom consumers on the rising wave of cyber crime in its various forms; the dangers it poses and the role which telecoms consumers are expected to play in reducing the impacts of cyber crimes on them.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, Sabbaths said the commission having realized that liberalization of the telecoms industry is leading to an unprecedented increase in the usage of Internet-based solutions and services, further initiated a process of establishing an Internet industry code of practice for Internet service providers in the country.
Danbatta said the internet code is a regulatory intervention expected to secure the country’s cyber space against imminent threats from cyber attackers as well as addressing issues such as online child protection, privacy and data protection among others.
He said while the regulatory intervention and other initiatives were on-going to sanitize, “our Internet space, telecoms consumers must play their role.”
“Let me emphasize at this juncture that while the regulatory intervention and other initiatives are on-going to sanitize our Internet space, telecoms consumers must play their role.
“Thus, the need for you all to take this meeting seriously as we educate you on what your roles should be in minimizing the effect of cyber crime,” he added.
On the part of the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the commission believes that without consumers becoming aware of cyber crime trends and making efforts to ensure safe use of connected devices, criminals would continue to make cyberspace unsafe.
Onwueguchulam, further noted that one of the most effective ways to protect telecom consumers from the effects of cyber crimes was through continuous consumers from the effects of cyber crimes is through continuous consumer education and awareness campaign.
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