QUESTION: Were DStv, GoTV hacked?

Some Nigerians on social media have been making claims that systems belonging to Multichoice PayTV platforms, DStv and GOtv, were hacked on Sunday.

Many on Twitter claimed that some hackers who simply identified themselves as ‘Anonymous’ were behind it.

‘Anonymous’ became popular on Twitter recently, claiming responsibility for the hack of the social media accounts and websites of some government agencies as part of its support for the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

TheCable had earlier reported how the group had hacked the Twitter account of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as well as the website of the Nigeria Police Force..

Before now, the number of DStv and GOtv channels accessible to users is determined by the package one is subscribed to.

However, all channels available on the platforms were available to customers irrespective of their subscription status or bouquet.

Here are some Twitter comments made by subscribers:

My DSTV is working but my sub has expired. How so? It wasn’t working yesterday

— Mademoiselle Telles (@SisterHuncho) October 18, 2020

Even if you no get subscription before, all your Dstv channels will still open

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Nothing wey anybody fit tell me, Anonymous is a Nigerian youth 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/hWuJPGGppg

— Big Uncle 🔴🕊️ (@Usmanashafe) October 18, 2020

To whoever hacked DSTV, please help me hack my school portal and change my CGPA please 🙏🏿😭

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— Uncle Bayotics (@unclebayotics) October 18, 2020

What if DSTV and GOTV was not hacked, they just disguise to distract us from our fight to #EndSARS and build a #BETTERNIGERIA

— ZATARRA🤴🏾 (@zataarra__) October 18, 2020

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Check your DSTV and GoTV.
All the channels are showing irrespective of subscription.

Thank you Anon.
If this was an #EndSARS gift.

— #OurFavEndSARSDoc 🩺🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@DrOlufunmilayo) October 18, 2020

DSTV wasn’t hacked !! It’s a trap !! They know if we’ve access to all channels for free, we won’t come out to protest. Focus !! #EndSARS

— OTUNBA (@MhanLikeIcey) October 18, 2020

Did they hacked DStv and GOTV? All channels are showing and even though if you haven’t subscribed.

They are supporting the #EndSARS  movement in their own way, Thank you oh Multichoice 🥺

— Bossmann #EndSARS (@RealBossmann) October 18, 2020

Anonymous thank you o! Haven’t subscribed for over two months, now My DSTV is working. Thank you well well o! pic.twitter.com/E1im2uQIoV

— Joseph Friks (@JFriks) October 18, 2020

Thank u anonymous for hacking DStv and Gotv can u pls hack banks and send us like 1million naira each#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigera pic.twitter.com/FU4K02O1eN

— #Endsars (@pelizy) October 18, 2020

So the Government asked multichoice to open all their DSTV and Gotv channels for free to see if the youths will lose focus and go back to their house to go and watch television 🤣😂🤣.
E no go work oh! the youths don get coconut head#EndSARS #EndNigeriaNow

— 💙❤️Ultimate Kombo 🗡️ (@ultimate_kombo) October 18, 2020

Anonymous has hacked DSTV and GOTV but no light to watch, this is why we need to end Bad government in Nigeria after we #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/qPrejLAlpT

— AkureRainMaker🌨️🌧️⛈️ (@AkureRainMaker) October 18, 2020

FLASH: DStv has not been hacked, the platform is undergoing a system maintenance (from 11pm on the 17th of October to 4pm on the 19th of October) – this may have caused the glitch you’re all experiencing.

— Isime Esene (@IsimeEsene) October 18, 2020

When contacted on Sunday, DStv told TheCable that the development is due to an “upgrade in its billing, payment and self-service platforms”.

“Dear customer, please be informed that we are currently carrying out an upgrade or our systems, hence our billing, payment and self-service platforms are all unavailable at the moment,” it said.

“Regular business operations would resume tomorrow, October 19, 2020. Thank you for choosing DStv.”

Checks on DStv’s website also revealed that there was a notification informing users that its systems would be subjected to an upgrade between 11pm on October 17 to 4pm on October 19.