Chester Wisniewski: Why Encryption is Your Only Privacy in 2026

Today, January 28, marks Data Privacy Day 2026. In Nigeria, this isn’t just another date on the corporate calendar; it is a critical checkpoint for a nation that has fully embraced the “Data Age.”

From the bustling tech hubs of Yaba to the millions of Nigerians relying on OPay, PalmPay, and WhatsApp for daily survival, our personal information has become our most valuable—and most vulnerable, asset.

With the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) under the leadership of Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner, now aggressively enforcing the 2023 Data Protection Act and new bills like the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill on the horizon, the conversation has shifted.

It’s no longer just about “being careful”; it’s about the tools we use to stay invisible in a world that never stops watching.

The Nigerian Reality: Beyond Just “Oga at the Top”

In 2026, the threats to your privacy aren’t just from faceless hackers abroad. We are seeing a rise in “identity-centric” attacks where cybercriminals use AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering to impersonate legitimate authorities. Whether it’s a fake loan app agent harassing your contacts or a sophisticated group trying to bypass bank security, the “perimeter” of our digital lives is gone.

As Chester Wisniewski, Sophos’ Director and Global Field CISO, rightly points out, the fight for encryption is the front line of this battle:

“As we mark this year’s Data Privacy Day … it is important to remember the importance of encryption in securing our information from unwanted spying and privacy violations. We are now nearly 13 years past the release of Ed Snowden’s NSA leaks and we are still fighting to keep end-to-end encryption, most recently in the battle over Chat Control.

Having backdoors and a policy of authorized access doesn’t work. We have seen numerous American tech companies fooled by cybercrime groups like LAPSUS$ and Scattered Spider who have impersonated law enforcement agencies to gain ‘lawful access’ to people’s personal information.

Encryption allows us to share what we want, when we want, with whomever we want. By starting from a position with the user in control, they are empowered to share safely and with consent. Data Privacy Day is a good time to review the applications and platforms you use for storing data, communications, and social media to determine whether they are a safe and secure choice moving forward.”

Why “Authorized Access” is a Trap

For Nigerians, the warning about “backdoors” is especially pertinent. We often hear calls for “lawful intercept” to fight crime, but as Wisniewski notes, groups like LAPSUS$ and Scattered Spider have proven that if a door exists for the “good guys,” the “bad guys” will eventually walk through it too.

In a landscape where your BVN, NIN, and phone number are linked to almost everything you do, a single “authorized” leak can be catastrophic.

How to Take Control in 2026

Data Privacy Day is your annual “digital physical.” Here is how to apply the 2026 standard to your life:

1. Demand End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): If a messaging or storage app doesn’t offer E2EE, it’s a liability. Use platforms that ensure only you and the recipient can read your data—not even the service provider.
2. Audit Your Permissions: Go to your phone settings today. Does that basic calculator app really need access to your contacts and location? If it’s not essential, kill the permission.
3. Verify, Don’t Just Trust: With AI-driven impersonation on the rise, never share sensitive data over a call or text, even if it “looks” like it’s from your bank or a government agency.
4. Embrace Zero Trust: Operate on the principle that no device or connection is 100% safe. Use hardware security keys or robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your primary email and banking apps.

The Bottom Line: In 2026, privacy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for survival in a digital-first Nigeria. Encryption isn’t just for “techies”, it’s the digital wall that keeps your private life private.