CITAD Launches Digital Platforms To Boost Privacy, Reduce Dependence On Big Tech

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), has introduced dComms and DANCIT, two digital communication initiatives aimed at strengthening privacy, digital rights and user control.

The initiatives are designed to provide Nigerians with alternatives to mainstream social media and messaging platforms while promoting decentralised technology, responsible digital participation and greater control over personal information.

Buhari Abba, who spoke to journalists in Bauchi on Thursday on behalf of CITAD’s Executive Director, Dr Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, said the platforms would expand users’ choices and promote a more inclusive and privacy-conscious digital environment.

He explained that dComms prioritises decentralisation, privacy, user control and digital freedom, offering an alternative to conventional social media platforms where a single company typically controls the infrastructure, policies and access to users’ data.

Abba said social media and messaging applications had become essential for communication, access to information, public debate and civic participation. However, he warned that growing dependence on these platforms had raised concerns about data privacy, surveillance, online harassment, algorithmic manipulation and the concentration of control among a few technology companies.

According to him, many mainstream platforms rely on business models that involve collecting, processing and commercialising users’ personal information, often without sufficient transparency about how the data is stored, shared or used.

He added that algorithmic systems could influence the information users encounter and sometimes amplify misleading or divisive content, while opaque content moderation practices raised concerns about accountability, freedom of expression and digital rights.

“These challenges underscore the need to promote alternative digital platforms that prioritise privacy, transparency, community participation and digital freedom. People should have access to communication tools that respect their rights, protect their information and give them greater control over their digital experiences,” he said.

Abba said dComms connects to the Fediverse, an interconnected network of independently operated digital platforms that can communicate with one another without requiring users to depend on a single commercial service.

He explained that the model could give communities and institutions greater flexibility in choosing digital services and joining online communities.

According to him, decentralisation could reduce dependence on dominant technology companies, encourage community-oriented governance and create opportunities for smaller organisations, independent developers and local communities to participate in digital innovation.

He, however, cautioned that decentralisation did not automatically eliminate privacy risks, misinformation, cyberattacks or service disruptions, stressing that effective security measures, responsible administration and transparent governance remained necessary.

“Access to digital communication should not require people to surrender control over their personal information or accept unfair terms imposed by powerful technology companies. Digital platforms should serve individuals and communities rather than treat their data and attention merely as commercial resources,” he said.

As part of the initiative, CITAD is introducing DANCIT, an abbreviation for Dandalin CITAD, a mobile messaging application intended for communities, young people, civil society organisations, development partners and digital rights advocates.

Abba said the application was inspired by the Hausa concept of a dandali, a communal gathering place where people meet, exchange ideas, build relationships and discuss issues affecting their lives.

He explained that DANCIT seeks to bring this tradition of communal interaction into the digital space by providing a platform for communication, collaboration and civic engagement.

Hosted on CITAD’s digital infrastructure, the application is designed to offer an alternative to mainstream messaging services by placing community needs, privacy and digital independence at the centre of its approach.

According to him, DANCIT is also intended to support grassroots organising, digital rights discussions, information sharing and collaboration among individuals and organisations working towards social development.

He said the application was designed to make registration and access straightforward, while its privacy-focused approach reflected CITAD’s commitment to limiting unnecessary tracking, profiling and the commercial exploitation of personal information.

Abba nevertheless encouraged users to observe good digital security practices and familiarise themselves with the platform’s privacy and security features.

He described DANCIT as an example of how local organisations could develop digital tools tailored to the needs of their communities rather than relying exclusively on applications owned and controlled by global technology companies.

He added that supporting locally developed alternatives could promote competition, creativity and broader participation in technological development, particularly among smaller developers and institutions with limited resources.

Abba said the initiatives were particularly relevant to Nigeria, where digital platforms increasingly influence public debate, access to information, civic participation and community mobilisation.

He noted that journalists, civil society organisations, young people, activists, educators and other citizens relied on digital platforms to share information, organise activities and participate in public life.

He said expanding access to privacy-conscious alternatives would enable Nigerians to make informed decisions about the services they use while strengthening awareness of the relationship between digital rights, freedom of expression, privacy and democratic participation.

The CITAD representative also emphasised digital sovereignty, which he described as the capacity of a country and its institutions to make informed decisions about digital infrastructure, data governance and technological development in line with national and community interests.

According to him, encouraging Nigerian institutions and communities to develop, host and manage digital services could strengthen local technical capacity, support innovation and reduce dependence on external providers.

“Digital sovereignty does not mean isolating Nigeria from the global internet. Rather, it means ensuring that Nigerians have meaningful choices, the capacity to participate in shaping digital systems and the ability to develop solutions that meet their needs while remaining connected to the wider world,” he said.

Abba called on civil society organisations, educational institutions, youth groups, journalists, technology professionals, policymakers and development partners to explore decentralised platforms and support initiatives that place users’ rights at the centre of technological development.

He encouraged stakeholders to engage with dComms and DANCIT, understand their features and potential, and contribute to building communities committed to privacy, digital freedom, responsible online participation and inclusive technological innovation.

He reaffirmed CITAD’s commitment to promoting a digital environment where people could communicate freely, participate meaningfully and exercise greater control over their digital lives.

He said achieving this goal would require sustained public awareness, digital literacy, community participation, responsible platform governance and policies that protect users’ rights online.

Abba also urged policymakers, technology developers, civil society organisations and the media to prioritise privacy, transparency, accountability and user control in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.

He encouraged educational institutions and community organisations to create opportunities for citizens, particularly young people, to understand decentralised technologies and the importance of protecting their digital identities.

“Through dComms and DANCIT, CITAD is working to expand the choices available to individuals and communities and promote a digital future that is more open, inclusive, privacy-conscious and accountable.

“These initiatives reflect our belief that communities should not merely be consumers of technology but active participants in its development, governance and use,” he said.