FCCPC Orders Meta to Comply with Nigerian Laws Amid $220M Fine Dispute

Regulator Accuses Meta of Exploiting Nigerian Users

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a stern warning to Meta Platforms Inc., demanding the tech giant stop exploiting Nigerian consumers and fully comply with local laws.

In a statement released Saturday by FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu, the regulator escalated its ongoing dispute with Meta over data privacy violations in Nigeria.

Background of the $220 Million Fine

The conflict dates back to July 2024 when the FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for multiple violations of Nigeria’s data privacy laws. The penalty followed an extensive investigation into Meta’s operations between May 2021 and December 2023.

On April 25, 2024, Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the substantial fine, prompting Meta to threaten withdrawing its services – including Facebook and Instagram – from the Nigerian market.

FCCPC Calls Meta’s Threats “Calculated Move”

The FCCPC characterized Meta’s exit threats as a “calculated move” designed to generate negative public sentiment and pressure the commission into reversing its decision.

“Meta has repeatedly infringed on Nigerians’ rights by denying them control over their personal data, sharing user information without authorization, and imposing unfair privacy policies that exploit their dominant market position,” the FCCPC stated.

Global Precedents Cited

The regulator noted that Meta has faced similar penalties worldwide, including:

• $1.5 billion fine in Texas
• $1.3 billion penalty for EU data privacy violations
• Various fines in India, South Korea, France, and Australia

“Unlike in Nigeria, Meta never threatened to exit these countries when fined. They complied with local laws,” the FCCPC emphasized.

No Company Above Nigerian Law

The commission reaffirmed its stance that no company operating in Nigeria is above the law. “Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities from judicial processes,” the statement concluded.

The FCCPC vowed to continue enforcing consumer protection and data privacy regulations to ensure a fair digital marketplace in Nigeria.

Source: NigerianEye.com