Oct 27, 2026

MTN Insists “We’re Not Stealing Your Data” as Furious Customers Cry Foul Over Sudden Vanish

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in technology

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Abuja, Nigeria—October 27, 2026—MTN Nigeria has publicly addressed longstanding consumer complaints about rapid data depletion, insisting its billing system is transparent, accountable and aligned with global best practices.

The clarification came during the company’s “Data on Trial” engagement held in Abuja on Monday, on the sidelines of the Nigerian Economic Summit.

CEO Defends Transparency

Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola stated that the initiative was designed to place the company’s data processes under public scrutiny and improve understanding of how mobile data is consumed.

He emphasized that transparent engagement and consumer education remain essential to building trust, especially as mobile data has become central to communication, work and online services for millions of Nigerians.

Why Data Finishes Quickly

General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, firmly denied allegations that telecommunications operators deliberately deduct customers’ data.

He explained that rapid depletion is largely driven by subscribers’ own activities and device settings.

“We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every amount counts,” Ndukwe said.

Key factors cited include:

- High-resolution video streaming on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram

- Automatic downloads and background applications

- Cloud backups

- WhatsApp status updates, videos, and group media

A 15-second TikTok video, he noted, can consume between 2MB and 20MB depending on quality, while high-definition streaming uses significantly more data than standard definition.

Measurement Differences and Tools

MTN executives also addressed discrepancies between data figures shown on smartphones and network records, attributing them to differences in measurement methods and rounding.

They encouraged subscribers to use the MyMTN application to monitor usage and restrict background data for non-essential apps.

The Abuja session forms part of MTN’s ongoing “Data on Trial” series, which previously held editions in Lagos and university campuses.

The company has previously announced plans for a self-service data usage transparency portal to give customers greater visibility into their consumption patterns.

Despite the explanations, data depletion remains one of the most frequent complaints against Nigerian telecom operators, with MTN recording the highest number of such cases in the first half of 2026.