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Accept Cookies: A Threat to Online Safety
By Zulaiha Danjuma
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ensures online safety by promoting digital literacy, governance, and security. But what about “Accept Cookies”?
2024 internet usage statistics in Nigeria
We’ve all been there – scrolling through our favorite website or app, only to be interrupted by a seemingly innocuous pop-up: “Accept Cookies?”
Most of us mindlessly click “Accept” to access the content we want. But have you ever stopped to think about what you’re really accepting?
KANO FOCUS reports, cookies are small files that websites store on your device, tracking your online activities, from the websites you visit to your search queries.
But that’s not all – these files can also store your personal data, leaving you vulnerable to targeted advertising, data breaches, and even identity theft.
Types an Uses of cookies
In today’s digital landscape, the internet is filled with users seeking information, entertainment, and connection. Meanwhile, companies and individuals are increasingly tracking and analyzing the online activities of these users, gathering valuable data and insights.
Virtually every online platform, from banking and financial apps to social media, news websites, gaming sites, and e-commerce platforms, rely on cookies to function.
As a result, it’s almost impossible for internet users to browse the web without encountering the ubiquitous ‘Accept Cookies’ pop-ups.
While cookies offer several benefits, such as enhanced user experience and personalized content, they also raise significant concerns regarding user privacy and security. These concerns have sparked intense debate and scrutiny.
Data Breaches in Nigeria (2022-2023)
Despite their widespread presence, many online users underestimate the impact of “Cookies” on user privacy.
Several individuals shared their perspectives
“I always accept ‘Cookies’ without really thinking about it,” says Hadiza Musa Yusuf. “If I don’t accept them, I can’t access the sites I want.”
Sa’adatu Auwal admitted to routinely accepting cookies without much thought: “It never crossed my mind. I just see them as a means to access the webpage I need.”
Abduljabar AbdulSalam Ibrahim views cookies as mutual agreements between users and websites: “I accept them, but not always. It’s an agreement between a user and the site visited.”
Aishatu Abdullahi Muhammad acknowledges potential risks: “Accepting cookies can be dangerous. Some websites aren’t legitimate.”
Adam Ismail exercises caution: “I only accept cookies on trusted sites.”
Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman said he rarely accepts cookies.
These diverse perspectives highlight varying levels of awareness and concern regarding cookies and online privacy.
Cookie Usage Statistics
Expert Insight
KANO FOCUS reached out to Nigeria’s Country Representative for West Africa ICT Action Network, Ms. Amina Ibrahim Idris, a professional in data protection and cybersecurity. She explained that automatically accepting cookies undermines user data, privacy, and digital security.
Understanding the hidden dangers to online tracking
“Some risks include tracking and profiling, cookies tracking users’ activities online, creating profiles used for targeted advertising,” she said.
Ms. Amina added that data breaches can occur from accepting cookies indiscriminately: “By clicking ‘Accept Cookies,’ some sites might save login credentials and data, compromising user data in case of a breach.”
NDPC figures on data breaches in Nigeria
According to Ms. Amina, cookies can collect specific user data, including:
IP addresses, revealing geographic locations, frequently visited websites indicating interests, Real names, physical addresses, contact information, Browser types and operating system details Geo-location data and GPS coordinates.
Malicious cookies can target vulnerable devices, injecting malware and viruses, and facilitate phishing attacks.
:Prevalence of Cyber Attack in Nigeria
The Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how third-party cookies harvested Facebook users’ data without consent, influencing the 2016 US presidential election. This breach affected 87 million users.
Google faced a $170 million settlement for violating cookie tracking regulations. The search giant allowed advertisers to track users’ browsing habits despite opting out.
These incidents are not secluded to big tech giants. In Nigeria, MoMo Payment Service Bank had a data breach incident in 2022 resulting in losses worth $53 million. While, Patricia a fintech company suffered a cyber attack also in 2022, resulting in losses worth $2 million.
MoMo and Patricia data breach losses
Users’ Inability to Read Cookie Policies
Ms. Amina notes: “Cookie Policies are usually tiny and long. Users quickly accept cookies without knowing what they entail.”
To address this, Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives promote:
Digital literacy programs educating users about online safety. Regulatory frameworks like General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), ensures companies protect user data Security guidelines for safe browsing practices
Protect Yourself:
1. Read cookie policies carefully to understand data collection.
2. Utilize browser extensions like u-Block-Origin, Ghostary, and Cookie Auto-Delete to block tracking cookies.
3. Adopt alternative authentication methods, such as Token-based authentication like JSON Web tokens, Smart cards and Biometric authentication.
In the words of Ms. Amina; Companies should align policies with GDPR and CCPA, providing transparent control over user data.
By understanding cookies and DPI, you can make informed decisions.
This story is produced under the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Fellowship of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop in partnership with Kano Focus online Newspaper.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hussaini Yusuf Datti, has won the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election in Kano State with 23,890 votes.
KANO FOCUS reports that Datti was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Sani, after polling was conducted across the constituency on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
According to the official result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Datti defeated five other candidates who contested the election.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Habibu Hamisu, came second with 270 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abdullahi Adamu, secured 108 votes.
The candidate of the All Democratic Party (ADP), Bala Muhammad Sani, polled 89 votes, while Aliyu Abdullahi of the All Progressive Party (APP) received 53 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad, secured 39 votes.
The results recorded a total of 24,449 votes across the six political parties listed on the declaration sheet.
After announcing the results, the Returning Officer declared Hussaini Yusuf Datti of the APC the winner and returned him elected, stating that he had satisfied the requirements of the law.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced a two-day training for 500 teachers on the use of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, which began on Saturday, is being conducted across 20 centres in the Kano metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen teachers’ capacity to use the digital learning platform.
Some participants at the training
The training centres include GGSS Gidan Makama, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GSS Gwamamaja II, GSS Babbangiji, Day Science and GGSS Dangana.
Other centres are GGSS Maryam Aloma, GGAC Goron Dutse, GGASS Gwammaja, Prof Hafsat, Mairo Tijjani and GGSS Maryam Abacha.
Some participants at the training
The remaining centres are GGSS Maryam Shekarau, GGC Kano, GGSS Masallaci Fagge, GGSS Chiranchi, First Ladies and GGSS Sabuwar Kofa.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Director, Education Management Information System (EMIS) and Statistics and lead component for Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano, Malam Naziru Surajo, said the Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide learners and teachers with access to curriculum-aligned educational content and support learning continuity.
Some participants at the training
He said the two-day training is expected to equip participating teachers with practical skills to access and use the platform, including navigating learning content and other available resources.
Group picture at GGSS Chiranchi Centre
According to him the exercise is being implemented by the Kano State Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF as part of efforts to strengthen the use of digital tools in teaching and learning across the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
KANO FOCUS reports that the Kano State Police Command, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) have monitored the ongoing Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election, commending voters for maintaining peaceful conduct.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, on Saturday said the monitoring exercise was conducted by the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, alongside the Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC Kano State, Amb. Zango Abdu, and other members of ICCES.
The delegation visited various polling units across Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area to assess the deployment of security personnel, the conduct of INEC officials and voters’ compliance with electoral guidelines.
According to the police, the electoral process was proceeding smoothly as of the time of the report, with voters turning out in an orderly manner and security personnel maintaining neutrality and professionalism at polling locations.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner commended the security agencies, particularly the Kano State Police Command and other ICCES members, for what he described as effective coordination, professionalism and proactive measures that helped maintain a peaceful atmosphere for the election.
The Commissioner of Police, Bakori, reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.
He assured residents that security personnel would remain deployed until the collation and announcement of the election results were concluded.
The Kano State Police Command also commended residents of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area for their peaceful conduct and cooperation with security agencies during the exercise.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, on September 19, 2026.
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