Paper short abstract:

The flourishing data ecosystems of the 21st century present significant opportunities to monitor promote development. However, recent trends in suggest that these opportunities are rather perceived as emerging threats, which need to be contained and as weapons to further political interests

Paper long abstract:

In 2018, reports emerged , which confirmed that SCL- the parent company of Cambridge Analytica had tried to influence the Nigeran elections by weaponizing information on behalf of wealthy political interest holders. Partially in reaction to this, the National Assembly is discussing the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019. Among other things, the Bill would prohibit statements on social media deemed (Section 5:3a) "likely to be prejudicial to national security" and (Section 5:3c) "those which may diminish public confidence" in Nigeria's government. It proposes (Section 5: g) that these offenses be punishable by a fine, a prison sentence of three years.

The Bill has received support from those worried about the detrimental impact of fake news and social media manipulation, but it has also been opposed by those who see it as a threat to free speech. This paper makes use of the concept of "social contracts" to understand how this case, which mirrors developments happening simultaneously all over the world, reveals the opportunities and challenges of constructing appropriate laws and institutions for governing these data ecosystems. I note that the challenges linked to consensus building in a context of rapid social and technological change, can impede the developmental opportunities which such change presents. This includes for instance, the opportunity to monitor and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.