A loan application, Delinquent Loans, has ignited widespread outrage after it shared photos of 87 individuals allegedly owing the platform money in an unconventional effort to recover unpaid debts.
The incident became public when the app released a series of TikTok videos showcasing the debtors’ photos, each accompanied by the caption, “Please settle your loans.” The bold move, which began trending online on Saturday, has sparked heated debates on privacy, ethics, and legality.
Social media users have expressed mixed reactions to the app’s controversial approach.
A Twitter user, King, posting as #KingSuleiman27, cautioned others:
“Has anyone seen the video posted by a loan app featuring pictures of 87 debtors owing them? You better check it out to make sure your picture isn’t among them ooo!”
Another user, Prince Olugbade, known as #latmos997, mocked the strategy, writing:
“As they don post their pictures, make them go collect the money from the general public wey view am, or post am for YouTube use the views settle the debt.”
Others criticised the app’s actions as an invasion of privacy. FaVōuR™, tweeting as #fhavourabia, argued:
“Actually, if we have a functioning government, these people should be sued for defamation.”
Agbalaka, tweeting as #CroBender, noted:
“Taking money from shylocks comes with regrettable consequences.”
Some users defended the app’s focus on debt recovery but questioned the method. Smiles Ebony (#smileebony) highlighted the impact of defaulting on loans:
“There’s something all these people don’t understand. After you default on any loan, you will be reported to the credit bureau, and this will affect anyone.”
However, others raised concerns about potential fraud. Emma (#Emmabest) wrote:
“Most of these persons are not aware of this loan. Suddenly, they receive a call asking them to pay back the money they borrowed.”
The public naming-and-shaming approach has drawn attention to issues surrounding privacy, ethical business practices, and debt recovery laws. Critics argue that such methods could constitute defamation or harassment, while others believe the strategy reflects broader failures in regulatory oversight of loan apps.
This controversy follows ongoing investigations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) into loan apps accused of breaching privacy and harassing customers.
