[Édition Afrique de l’Ouest] AI and privacy concerns at the heart of consumers' cyber concerns in 2025, according to Kaspersky

Abidjan (© 2024 Afriquinfos) – In 2024, West Africa saw an explosion in cyberattacks, with an increase of 80% compared to the previous year, according to an INTERPOL report. This upsurge has affected critical sectors like banking, telecommunications and e-commerce platforms, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the region's digital infrastructure. At the same time, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in areas such as finance, healthcare and education is raising growing concerns about data privacy and the risk of misuse.

According to Kaspersky experts' predictions, in 2025, artificial intelligence will continue its incursion into the daily lives of users, while concerns relating to the confidentiality of biometric data and new technologies should be at the heart of the latter's concerns. . These predictions are included in the annual Kaspersky Security Bulletin, a collection of analytical reports on key developments in the cybersecurity landscape that are likely to impact consumers in the coming year.

The omnipresence of AI: a lever for progress and a source of new challenges

By 2025, artificial intelligence is expected to play a key role in the delivery of digital services in West Africa, facilitating sectors such as health, finance and education. For example, AI-based solutions are already helping to automate medical diagnostics or optimize digital payment systems in several countries in the region.

However, rapid adoption of AI also carries risks. “Deepfakes” and other AI-manipulated content could be used to fuel misinformation and fraud. These sophisticated tools, still poorly mastered in the region, could worsen security challenges for governments and businesses.

In Ivory Coast, deepfakes have been involved in scams targeting business leaders, leading to financial losses estimated at more than 3 billion FCFA in 2024, according to a report from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARTCI) . In Ghana, a fake recruitment campaign distributed online in September 2024 exploited AI tools to illegally collect the personal and financial data of more than 5,000 users, according to an investigation by the Ghana Cybersecurity Authority.

Data confidentiality: a regional priority

The question of data confidentiality is emerging as a central issue in West Africa, where digital platforms are rapidly proliferating. A survey conducted by Kaspersky in 2024 in Ivory Coast and Senegal reveals that only 30% of users consider cybersecurity solutions essential, often due to their perceived high cost or a lack of knowledge about their effectiveness.

Inspired by international frameworks such as the GDPR, several African countries began to put in place laws and regulations aimed at governing the collection, processing and retention of personal data from the early 2000s. To date, out of 54 African countries, 37 have a national data protection law, including South Africa, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho , Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In Ivory Coast, a bill aims to strengthen users' control over their personal data, while in Benin a biometric data management system has been introduced to ensure increased transparency, particularly in digital public services .

Digital fraud and subscriptions: growing threats

As the global economy increasingly shifts towards subscription models, we can expect an increase in fraud linked to fake promotions for these subscriptions, and cybercriminals creating counterfeit services that imitate legitimate platforms , with the aim of tricking users into providing personal and financial information, leading to identity theft and financial losses. Additionally, the growth of unofficial resources, providing free or discounted access to subscription services, could become a significant threat vector, exposing users to phishing attacks, malware and breaches. to data protection.

For their part, cybercriminals in West Africa are increasingly targeting subscription platforms, a growing sector with the expansion of streaming and educational applications. In Nigeria in 2024, fraudulent imitations of popular services like Showmax and Netflix circulated on social media, causing total financial losses estimated at 1.2 billion naira (around 1.6 million euros), according to Nigerian Communications Commission.

Illegal platforms offering low-cost subscriptions have also become major vectors for malware. These practices expose users to phishing attacks and theft of banking data, making increased awareness and technological solutions essential to prevent these frauds.

Disinformation and cyberharassment: amplified by digital tools

In 2024, deepfakes and disinformation campaigns have been widely used to influence political debates in West Africa. During municipal elections in Burkina Faso, for example, falsified videos were shared to discredit candidates, causing social tensions in several regions.

These practices illustrate how digital tools, when misused, can exacerbate divisions and fuel acts of cyberharassment. Local initiatives, such as the StopCyberFraude campaign in Côte d'Ivoire, are raising awareness of the dangers of malicious content, but efforts remain insufficient given the scale of the threats.

Social media ban for children may lead to broader restrictions for users

The Australian bill aimed at banning access to social networks for children under the age of 16 could set a precedent on a global scale. If successfully implemented, this restriction could pave the way for broader limitations on access for other demographic segments. Platforms like Instagram have already begun to adopt AI-powered age verification systems, marking a move toward stricter governance of online spaces.

In Côte d'Ivoire, measures similar to the Australian proposal aimed at limiting minors' access to social networks are underway. Since 2017, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARTCI) has imposed strict supervision in cybercafés, prohibiting unaccompanied access to children under 10 years old. In 2023, Côte d'Ivoire also signed a National Social Media Charter to promote responsible and ethical use of online platforms, particularly by young people.

« Advances in artificial intelligence, privacy and data ownership will reshape the way people interact with technologies and manage their digital lives. These developments hold immense potential, but also require careful monitoring to ensure they serve the interests of consumers said Anna Larkina, privacy expert at Kaspersky.

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected against emerging cyber threats and targeted attacks to date, Kaspersky's expertise in security and threat intelligence is constantly converted into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, public authorities and individuals around the world. Kaspersky's broad portfolio of cybersecurity solutions includes advanced endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, and Cyber ​​Immunity solutions to combat sophisticated, evolving digital threats.

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