The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has addressed recent allegations suggesting that the telecommunications giant is involved in unauthorized data depletion, following rising concerns from subscribers who claim their data is exhausting faster than expected.
The controversy over alleged data theft has been making waves across several markets, particularly in Nigeria, where customers have repeatedly raised complaints about what they perceive to be excessive and unfair data consumption. Many Nigerian subscribers have gone as far as filing complaints with regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), urging them to investigate the matter.
Amidst the growing backlash, Stephen Blewett granted an interview at MTN House in Accra, where he took the opportunity to directly respond to the concerns raised by users and clear up any misconceptions about the company’s data management practices.
Blewett categorically denied all allegations, stating that accusations of data theft are not new and have followed him throughout his career in the telecommunications industry. He emphasized that such complaints have been common in different countries where he has worked.
“I’ve heard ‘You’re stealing my data’ in every country I’ve worked—not just at MTN,” Blewett said while addressing the issue.
He firmly assured customers that MTN, as a reputable telecommunications company, has no motivation or reason to engage in fraudulent data depletion. According to him, the idea that the company would secretly steal customer data is completely unfounded.
“I swear to God as my witness: we have no reason to steal your data,” Blewett said, making a strong case against the allegations and reassuring customers of MTN’s integrity.
He further elaborated that from a business standpoint, engaging in such practices would be financially counterproductive for both the company and its executives. Blewett revealed that his personal performance bonus is directly linked to MTN’s officially declared revenue. If the company were involved in unauthorized data depletion, it would result in financial discrepancies that would ultimately affect their revenue reports.
“If I steal data, I can’t report it—I’d lose my bonus,” he added, explaining that such a scheme would be both impractical and detrimental to MTN’s operations.
Blewett went on to highlight that the rapid exhaustion of data can be attributed to various technological advancements and changing user behavior. He pointed out that the shift from 3G and 4G networks to 5G technology has played a significant role in increased data consumption, as higher-speed networks enable faster and more seamless internet use.
Additionally, the rise in video streaming has significantly contributed to increased data usage, as platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, TikTok, and Instagram consume large amounts of bandwidth compared to traditional web browsing.
“The increased usage is due to enhanced networks and the rise in video streaming,” Blewett explained, attributing the situation to technological evolution rather than any deliberate act by MTN.
He reassured customers that MTN remains committed to transparency and improving network performance to ensure that subscribers receive the best possible service. The company, he said, has no incentive to engage in unethical practices, and its focus remains on meeting the growing data demands of its users while maintaining a reliable and trustworthy network.
As customer concerns persist, MTN has encouraged users to monitor their data usage through official channels and make use of data-saving options available on their mobile devices and applications.