Digital privacy advocate Mr Tokunbo Smith has urged women to strengthen their data protection practices.
Smith, founder of the Institute for Data Governance Nigeria, gave the advice on Tuesday during a webinar organised by Deborah Fellowship International.
The webinar was themed “Women and Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Data, Identity and Reputation.”
He warned women against carelessly sharing personal information online.
Smith said personal data could expose individuals to financial, reputational and security risks.
He noted that women routinely use digital platforms for communication, banking, education, business, professional activities and social networking, generating personal data through their online activities.
According to him, names, photographs, financial and health information, browsing history, IP addresses, locations and biometric details can identify individuals and therefore require protection.
“Learn to obtain consent before sharing another person’s phone number, photographs, messages or other personal information, as trust should accompany responsible data handling.
“Do not share information without the consent of the person concerned. Respect others’ privacy boundaries,” he said.
Smith also advised women to protect banking credentials, card details, PINs, OTPs, transaction information and other financial records from unauthorised access.
He warned against responding to urgent messages requesting PINs, OTPs or account verification, urging users to pause, verify the information and avoid suspicious links.
Smith further urged women to carefully protect passports, National Identification Numbers (NIN), certificates, licences, employment records, contracts and other documents that could identify them.
On health privacy, he identified medical records, pregnancy, fertility and reproductive health information, prescriptions and hospital records as sensitive data requiring careful handling.
He advised women to ask medical professionals why personal information was needed, who would receive it and what measures would protect it before sharing.
He urged parents to protect children’s names, school locations, photographs, routines, medical information, home addresses and care arrangements from unnecessary exposure.
Smith also warned women in business to protect customer, supplier and employee records, business accounts, client communications and consumer payment information.
According to him, women entrepreneurs often serve as custodians of other people’s information and must therefore ensure such data remains secure.
He urged users to employ strong, unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, password managers and screen locks, while keeping recovery information updated.
Smith also urged people to secure Wi-Fi and cloud accounts, review application permissions and avoid leaving sensitive documents or devices exposed at home.
He said a digital footprint leak or compromise could affect relationships, employment, businesses, personal reputation and accountability, urging women to consider the consequences before posting.
Smith advised women to ask what they were sharing, who could access it, why they were sharing it and whether it could harm them later.
“Stop, think and check before sharing,” the digital advocate said.
He urged women to make digital privacy a daily practice and called on women’s organisations to organise seminars and webinars to improve digital privacy awareness among women, youths and families.
