Investigating Artificial Intelligence Digital Sovereignty in Mobile Shopping Apps: A Case Study of Nigeria
2026-08-06 • Computers and Society
Computers and SocietyArtificial Intelligence
AI summaryⓘ
The authors studied how Nigerian e-commerce mobile apps use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this affects users' control over their digital information, called digital sovereignty. They analyzed apps and documents to see how much these apps reveal about their AI features. They found that while AI is used a lot, the apps don’t clearly explain it to users. Their research highlights that people in Nigeria rely more on these platforms but don’t always understand or control how AI impacts their digital experiences.
Artificial IntelligenceDigital sovereigntyE-commerceMobile applicationsPlatform transparencyUser awarenessForensic analysisNigeriaAI transparencyConsumer digital platforms
Authors
George Grispos, Sajda Qureshi
Abstract
The use of e-commerce mobile applications is expanding in Nigeria, creating both opportunities and risks, including fraud and reduced user control over digital technologies, raising concerns about digital sovereignty. This research examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigerian mobile applications affects digital sovereignty, examined through platform transparency as a key indicator of user awareness and control. Using an interpretive approach, the research combines the forensic analysis of selected Android applications with contextual document analysis to identify AI features and evaluate disclosure practices. The findings show that AI is widely implemented in the applications, yet transparency about its use remains limited. A socio-economic analysis of Nigeria further shows an increasing dependence on consumer digital platforms, moderate AI awareness, and uneven patterns of interaction. By providing empirical evidence on AI transparency and platform practices, this study advances understanding of individual digital sovereignty and highlights challenges for protecting user control in AI-driven digital environments.