Breaking News: Nigeria Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fined Meta (parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram) $220 million for grossly violating user data privacy policies.
Ogasabi from 9am news Nigeria reports that this penalty follows a three-year FCCPC investigation into Meta’s user data handling practices in Nigeria. The FCCPC posted on X, stating, “Meta engaged in conduct that constituted multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements… particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects in Nigeria.” The commission added, “The final order imposes a monetary penalty of $220 million, in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).”
A Meta spokesperson responded to FCCPC’s claims in a statement obtained by 9am news Nigeria, saying, “In 2021, we explained to users globally how talking to businesses, among other things, would work. While there was initial confusion, it has proven popular. We disagree with today’s decision and the fine, and we are appealing.”
Ogasabi understands that an existing policy requires all tech firms operating in Nigeria, such as Opay, Meta, Microsoft, and Twitter, to pay up to 2% of their annual revenue if found guilty of violating user data privacy policies. This is in line with section 48 (5) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
Another senior Meta spokesperson emphasized, “Protecting people’s information and giving them control over their data is a company priority.”
Feedback on FCCPC’s investigation into the data handling practices of other tech firms is still pending, according to 9am news Nigeria.
