FG Reacts to Meta Plans To Close Facebook, Instagram Access in Nigeria After $220m Fine

• Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has reacted to its ongoing efforts to reverse fines imposed by the Nigerian government
• The tech giant expressed concern about the amount being demanded by Nigerian government agencies
• A deadline has been given for Meta to pay the fine, prompting the company to consider shutting down its operations in Nigeria

Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of business journalism experience with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reacted to reports that Meta has hinted at the possibility of exiting Nigeria.

Following the fine imposed on it by the FCCPC, the United States-based company has threatened to exit Nigeria.

The commission claims the media reports of Meta's decision are a strategic manoeuvre to influence public opinion and pressure regulatory reconsideration.

Meta Platforms, which include Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are widely used by Nigerians for business and connecting with loved ones.

Tribunal upholds FCCPC's fine against Meta

The Nigerian Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has affirmed the $220 million penalty imposed on WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The fine was levied over accusations of discriminatory data practices targeting Nigerian users.

In a pivotal ruling, the tribunal rejected Meta’s appeal and additionally ordered the company to pay an extra $35,000 to cover the FCCPC's investigative costs.

The ruling, issued by a three-member panel led by Thomas Okosun, confirmed both penalties and set a 60-day deadline for payment.

Meta had contested the FCCPC's fine, arguing that the directives were unclear, impractical, and inconsistent with Nigerian law.

The company highlighted 22 grounds for appeal, including claims of vague instructions, unjustified data-sharing requirements, and procedural flaws in the case.

Meta also contended that the fine's calculation was unclear and that it was not afforded a fair hearing.

Furthermore, Meta argued that the demand to establish consent mechanisms for each user data point processed in Nigeria was neither feasible nor cost-effective, asserting that other platforms such as TikTok and Google Meet provided alternative services and that it had not abused its market position.

FG dismisses Meta's threat to leave Nigeria

In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC Director of Public Affairs, Meta described’s threat as:

“A calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.

"The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as "Meta Parties") for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

"The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.

"These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies."

The Commission noted that Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5 billion) and was only recently asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating E.U. Data Privacy Rules.

The FCCPC stated.

“Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches. But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.

“Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the FCCPC remains committed to its pursuit of consumer protection and data privacy towards ensuring a fairer digital market in Nigeria."

According to the Commission, the recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices, Cable reports.

200 French media groups sue Meta

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that approximately 200 French media organisations, including prominent television networks and newspapers, have filed a lawsuit against Meta, their lawyers confirmed on Wednesday.

The plaintiffs accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting vast amounts of users' personal data without proper notification or consent, claiming this violates European data protection regulations.

The legal action includes a range of media outlets, from public and private TV stations such as TF1 and France Télévisions, to the state-run Radio France, along with newspapers like Le Figaro and Libération, and local magazine publishers.

The article was updated with additional information by the head of the business desk, Victor Enengedi.

Source: Legit.ng