Oppo Kenya says data laws abuses reports against the company are ungrounded

Oppo Kenya says the recent reports that it infringed on the privacy of a complainant by using their photo on the company’s Instagram account without the complainant’s consent are ungrounded. 

On Wednesday, the smartphone maker was issued a penalty notice by The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued against it. As a result, Oppo was fined Sh5 million pursuant to Section 63 of the Data Protection Act, and Regulation 20 of the Data Protection (Complaints Handling Procedure and Enforcement).

“ODPC on November 3, 2022, issued an enforcement notice against Oppo Kenya after it infringed on the privacy of a complainant by using their photo on the company’s Instagram account (stories) without the complainant’s consent,” said the Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait in a statement.

Oppo Kenya says the alleged fault use of client data is ungrounded but it is taking necessary steps ‘’to ensure the laws remain unbroke and conduct investigation procedures as required.’’

‘’OPPO Kenya respects and is committed to user privacy protection and data security, and conducts all business operations in strict compliance with local laws and regulations. ‘’ the company said. 

‘’In case of a third-party advertisement the company is committed to contact the client for marketing purposes and send advertisements and promotion information to them under the privacy policy,’’ it added. 

Oppo Kenya adds that is taking the necessary steps to comply with the ODPC’s notice.

‘’In light of these events, the company is also taking internal inquiry to research the cause of the disputes and while fulfilling the commitment to our users and partners in the market,’’ it said. 

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