T he Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has criticized Meta's threat to exit Nigeria following a $220 million fine, labeling it a maneuver to sway public opinion and pressure the commission into reassessing its decision.
The FCCPC's ruling against Meta Platforms Inc.—the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram—stemmed from concerns over consumer protection and data privacy. The commission's decision was based on Meta's repeated breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
Last week, the FCCPC issued directives to WhatsApp, instructing the platform to cease sharing user data with Facebook companies and third parties without explicit consent, to disclose information about data collection, and to restore user control over data usage.
The fine was imposed following a detailed 38-month investigation into Meta's data privacy practices and market behavior. The commission found that Meta had committed numerous infringements of Nigerian data protection laws.
In response, WhatsApp expressed concerns that the fine could impact its services in Nigeria due to its reliance on Meta's data infrastructure. The company, in a statement to Glide News, said, “WhatsApp relies on Meta’s infrastructure to operate and ensure user safety. The order contains inaccuracies and misrepresents our operations, prompting us to appeal urgently to mitigate any potential impact on our users.”
The FCCPC, however, has defended its decision, stating that Meta's claims of potential exit are a strategic attempt to influence public perception and coerce the commission into reversing its ruling. The commission emphasized that the order aims to ensure a fair digital market in Nigeria by addressing discriminatory practices and abuses of market dominance.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the FCCPC reiterated that Meta's actions included unfair privacy policies, unauthorized data sharing, and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users. The commission's final order mandates Meta to comply with Nigerian regulations, adjust its practices to align with local standards, and respect consumer rights.
The FCCPC underscored that similar regulatory actions in other jurisdictions have not forced companies to exit the market, and Nigeria's approach will be no different.
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