OPay Launches Emergency Lock and Safety PIN Features

OPay, a Nigerian fintech firm, has launched two new security features: the emergency lock and safety PIN, designed to enhance customer protection during financial threats. The emergency lock allows users to instantly freeze their OPay accounts with a single tap if they suspect a threat to their funds.

Once activated, this feature blocks all outgoing transactions, including transfers, bill payments, and card transactions, for a 24-hour period, during which customers must contact OPay's customer service to lift the freeze. The safety PIN feature enables users to set a unique PIN that can discreetly trigger a 24-hour account freeze without alerting anyone nearby, particularly useful in coercive situations.

Dotun Adekunle, OPay's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, stated that these innovations aim to better protect customers and address real-life security challenges faced daily in Nigeria. OPay, established in 2018, is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).