The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has downplayed the recent threat by Meta Platforms, owners of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, to shut down operations in Nigeria, stating that such a move will not shield the company from ongoing legal proceedings.
In a statement released Saturday by FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission emphasized that Meta must comply with Nigerian laws, regardless of its reaction to regulatory sanctions. Ijagwu described Meta’s shutdown threat as a strategic attempt to stir public backlash and pressure authorities into reversing their decision.
The FCCPC had recently secured a ruling from the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which upheld its final order requiring Meta to align its business practices in Nigeria with global standards and cease exploiting Nigerian users. The tribunal also imposed a hefty $220 million administrative fine on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for violating consumer rights and data protection laws.
Additionally, the tech giant was ordered to pay $35,000 to cover the cost of the Commission’s investigation.
According to the FCCPC, Meta’s infractions include unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data, imposition of unfair privacy policies, and discriminatory treatment of Nigerian consumers compared to users in other countries. These practices were found to breach both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Ijagwu noted that Meta has faced similar regulatory actions in other nations, citing fines imposed in Texas, the European Union, India, South Korea, and Australia for related data privacy violations. However, in those instances, the company did not threaten to withdraw its services, but rather complied with legal directives.
The FCCPC reiterated its dedication to safeguarding consumer rights and upholding digital fairness in Nigeria, maintaining that no entity, regardless of global influence, will be allowed to operate above the law.