“We have no reason to steal your data” – MTN

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has responded to allegations that the telecom company is stealing customer data following concerns over the rapid exhaustion of data.

In an interview at MTN House in Accra, Blewett addressed these widespread complaints, which have been circulating in various markets, particularly in Nigeria, where subscribers have been raising alarms over what they believe to be unfair data consumption.

Many users have reached out to regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), demanding investigations into the unexplained depletion of their data.

While addressing the issue, Blewett firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating that accusations of data theft are nothing new and have followed him throughout his career in the telecom industry.

“I’ve heard ‘You’re stealing my data’ in every country I’ve worked—not just at MTN,” he said.

He also stressed that MTN, along with other telecom operators, does not have any incentive to steal customer data.

“I swear to God as my witness: we have no reason to steal your data,” Blewett emphasized, seeking to dispel the accusations.

He further explained that such actions would be financially counterproductive, as his personal bonus is tied to MTN’s declared revenue.

“If I steal data, I can’t report it—I’d lose my bonus,” Blewett noted, making it clear that there is no financial gain from such practices.

Blewett attributed the rapid depletion of data to changes in network technology and customer behavior, particularly the shift from 3G and 4G networks to 5G, as well as the increasing use of video streaming.

“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.