FCCPC Reacts to Meta’s Threat to Exit Nigeria Over $290 Million Fine
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed Meta’s threat to exit Nigeria following a court’s affirmation of the regulator’s $290 million fine against the tech giant.
FCCPC Calls Meta’s Threat a “Calculated Move”
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC described Meta’s warning as “a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.”
The Commission had investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (collectively referred to as “Meta Parties”) for alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Meta’s Alleged Violations
The FCCPC found that Meta engaged in repeated breaches, including:
- Denying Nigerians control over their personal data.
- Unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian user data.
- Discrimination against Nigerian users compared to other regions.
- Abusing its dominant market position by enforcing unfair privacy policies.
Meta’s History of Regulatory Fines
The FCCPC noted that Meta has faced similar penalties globally, including:
- A $1.5 billion fine in Texas for data breaches.
- A $1.3 billion penalty for violating EU data privacy rules.
“In India, South Korea, France, and Australia, Meta faced penalties but never threatened to exit. Threatening Nigeria does not absolve them of liability,” the FCCPC stated.
Court Order Requires Compliance
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s order, requiring Meta to:
- Comply with Nigerian laws.
- Stop exploiting Nigerian consumers.
- Align its practices with international best practices.
Backstory: Meta’s Legal Battle in Nigeria
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, had warned of suspending its platforms in Nigeria, citing “unrealistic regulatory demands” and the $290 million fine.
The warning followed a failed legal challenge against penalties imposed by Nigerian authorities, which must be paid by June 2025.
In July 2024, the FCCPC accused Meta of breaching local data protection laws through unauthorized data-sharing practices.