A Nigerian lawyer has sparked reactions online after warning Nigerians about the serious legal consequences of sharing private phone conversations without permission.
According to the lawyer, the first person to be jailed in 2026 was imprisoned for forwarding a WhatsApp conversation they had with a friend in 2025.
“You cannot forward or share someone else’s private conversation with a third party without their consent. Just because the conversation is on your phone does not mean you have the exclusive right to share it. Every conversation is legally protected, “he explained.
He stressed that the law doesn’t only exist in courtrooms or law books. It affects daily life, including private chats on WhatsApp, email, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and other platforms.
Forwarding someone else’s messages without permission is a violation of privacy and may constitute unlawful processing of personal data.
The lawyer urged Nigerians to be cautious when screenshotting, forwarding, or sharing private messages with friends.
Unless shared legally for lawful purposes, such actions could have real legal consequences.
The warning has sparked discussions online, with many people questioning their own sharing habits. Some legal experts say this case highlights the need for increased awareness of digital privacy laws in Nigeria.
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