MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett dismisses claims of data theft, attributing rapid usage to enhanced networks and video streaming habits

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has firmly denied accusations that the telecom company steals customer data.

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Addressing these concerns at MTN House in Accra, Blewett described such claims as a recurring issue throughout his career in multiple markets.

“I’ve heard ‘You’re stealing my data’ in every country I’ve worked—not just at MTN,” he stated, as reported by MyJoyOnline on Wednesday.

He insisted there is no financial incentive for the company to engage in such practices, adding, “I swear to God as my witness: we have no reason to steal your data.”

Blewett’s remarks come as Nigerian telecom subscribers voice similar frustrations. Reports indicate that customers have inundated the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) with complaints about unexplained data depletion.

MTN Nigeria, which serves over 80 million users, is among the operators facing scrutiny.

Telecom operators have rejected accusations of data theft, instead pointing to technological shifts as the primary cause. They argue that as networks transition from 3G and 4G to 5G, data consumption naturally increases.

Video streaming, particularly on platforms like YouTube, automatically adjusts to higher resolutions on stronger connections, leading to faster data usage.

Blewett used a metaphor to illustrate this: “It’s like Pac-Man eating your data. We don’t control that.”

To reassure customers, Blewett highlighted MTN’s strict auditing processes. “We’re independently audited—billing errors would fail our financials,” he explained, adding that an internal revenue assurance team constantly monitors for discrepancies to maintain compliance.

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“We don’t want revenue leaks or incorrect billing,” he stressed, reinforcing MTN’s commitment to transparency as concerns over data depletion persist.