“We Have No Reason To Steal Your Data”- MTN Ghana CEO Defends Company Against Data Theft Allegations

Stephen Blewett, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, has addressed the ongoing allegations that the telecom company is stealing customer data. These concerns, which have been especially prevalent in Nigeria, focus on the rapid depletion of mobile data.

During an interview at MTN House in Accra, Blewett tackled the complaints raised by customers across various markets. Nigerian subscribers, in particular, have voiced their frustrations, accusing the company of unfairly consuming their data.

As a result, many have approached regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), requesting investigations into the matter.

Responding to the accusations, Blewett strongly denied the claims, explaining that such allegations were not new and had followed him throughout his tenure in the telecom industry. “I’ve encountered similar accusations in every country I’ve worked, not just at MTN,” he remarked.

He also reassured customers that MTN and other telecom operators have no reason or incentive to steal data. “I swear, we have no reason to steal your data,” Blewett declared, seeking to put an end to the rumors.

To further clarify, Blewett highlighted that engaging in such activities would be financially detrimental. “If I were to steal data, I wouldn’t be able to report it properly, and I would lose my bonus,” he added, emphasizing that there is no financial advantage to any illicit behavior.

Blewett suggested that the rapid exhaustion of data is mainly due to advancements in network technology and changes in consumer habits. With the rollout of 5G and the growing popularity of video streaming, these factors have contributed to a more significant data usage pattern among customers.

“The increased usage is due to enhanced networks and the rise in video streaming,” he explained.

According to him, these factors are the primary reasons behind the high data consumption, not any deliberate tampering by MTN or other operators.

He reassured customers that the company has no reason to engage in such practices and remains focused on improving network performance to meet the growing demands of subscribers.