Assessment of Data Privacy Practices Among Fintech Application Users in Port Harcourt

Fintech applications have transformed financial access in Nigeria, but their data privacy implications and users' understanding of privacy risks in Port Harcourt's urban population require documentation as a basis for consumer education and regulatory policy. This study assessed data privacy practices and awareness among fintech application users in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 260 smartphone-owning adults identified as regular fintech application users through street intercept and snowball sampling. The instrument assessed app permission management, reading of privacy policies, use of biometric versus PIN protection, data sharing consent understanding, and awareness of fintech data breaches. Results showed that 78.5 percent granted all requested app permissions without review. Privacy policies were read completely by only 8.5 percent. Biometric authentication was enabled by 54.2 percent. Awareness that fintech apps share data with third parties was present in only 31.5 percent. Knowledge of the right to request data deletion under Nigerian data protection law was held by only 11.5 percent. Income level was not a significant predictor of privacy awareness. The study concludes that fintech users in Port Harcourt demonstrate significant privacy practice deficiencies. Recommendations include mandatory simplified privacy notices in fintech apps, NITDA enforcement of privacy policy readability standards, and a Central Bank of Nigeria consumer digital privacy rights literacy campaign.

Keywords: data privacy, fintech applications, consumer awareness, Port Harcourt, digital financial services