Identity Theft Case: Bolt to appeal against GH¢1.9million judgment awarded to lecturer

Bolt Holdings, the data processor for ride-hailing platform Bolt, has said it will appeal against the GH¢1.9 million judgment of the Adentan Circuit Court.

This was after the ride-hailing platform observed that the judgment of the Court in favour of a lecturer and Chief Executive Officer of a software solutions company, Justice Noah Adade, “relates to an isolated incident involving the impersonation of a Bolt rider by a Bolt driver.”

On Wednesday, September 18, the Court presided over by Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam found that the company had failed to detect the theft of the lecturer’s identity and its subsequent use by a driver.

Consequently, the Court awarded damages amounting to GH¢1.9 million for identity theft against Bolt.

However, a statement released on Friday, September 20, signed by Henry Whyte, Senior Operations Manager, Bolt Rides, and copied to Starrfm.com.gh, said Bolt will appeal against the judgment.

“This Court ruling (Judgment) relates to an isolated incident involving the impersonation of a Bolt rider by a Bolt driver,” the statement noted.

“We wish to highlight that in the Court’s ruling (Judgment), it has not been disputed that the identity theft of the Bolt rider occurred entirely outside of Bolt’s ecosystem and was not caused as a result of any breach or compromise of Bolt’s App or systems.

“While we respectfully acknowledge the Court’s ruling (Judgment), our legal team has reviewed the decision and intends to appeal the ruling (Judgment),” the Senior Operations Manager, Bolt Rides, stated.

“We are confident that an appeal process will provide a more accurate outcome.

“We remain committed to respecting and protecting the privacy and security of riders’ and drivers’ personal data, which is a top priority.

“While this isolated incident originated beyond our control, we take this matter very seriously.

“As we move forward with the appeal process, Bolt remains committed to cooperating with relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities to enhance the safety and security of our platform in Ghana,” Henry Whyte noted.