MTN denies data theft allegations, attributes fast depletion to user habits

MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has dismissed claims that the telecom operator is stealing customers’ data, urging subscribers to take greater responsibility for managing their usage.

Blewett’s remarks follow mounting complaints from customers who report that their data bundles are being consumed far faster than expected, with some alleging unexplained losses. The issue has triggered widespread debate on social media, with many calling for greater transparency from service providers.

Addressing the matter at a media event on Friday, April 17, the CEO rejected the allegations outright.

“There’s zero incentive for MTN to steal data from you. Because it will just chase people away,” he said. “It’s not something we do; it’s not part of our values. So there’s a lot that we have to do as customers. We have to be very responsible.”

Rather than any wrongdoing on the part of the network, Blewett attributed the rapid depletion of data to changing patterns in digital consumption. He explained that many mobile applications run continuously in the background, consuming data even when not actively in use. Automatic updates and the growing preference for high-definition video streaming have further accelerated data usage rates — factors that often go unnoticed by users, he noted.

The CEO encouraged customers to take a more active role in managing their data usage by monitoring app activity, adjusting device settings, limiting background data permissions, and moderating video quality.

He said improving digital awareness among users would help address misconceptions while enabling customers to better control their data consumption in an increasingly connected environment.