Kenyan loan app Whitepath fined $2,000 for privacy violations and harassment
- Kenya's data protection watchdog imposed a KES 250,000 fine on Whitepath for unauthorized guarantor listing.
- Dennis Caleb Owuor filed a complaint after receiving harassment calls claiming he was a guarantor without his knowledge.
- Whitepath failed to respond to allegations from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
The ongoing regulatory actions against digital lenders like Whitepath indicate a necessary shift towards greater accountability and consumer protection in the rapidly growing digital lending sector. However, the proposed excise duty raises concerns about the potential negative impact on financial inclusion and competition in the market, suggesting a need for balanced regulation that supports both innovation and consumer rights.
