Beyond financial penalties, the NDPC instructed Meta to add an icon linking users to educational videos on data privacy risks
By Titilope Adako
Meta has warned it may shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria due to mounting fines and what it described as “unrealistic” regulatory requirements imposed by Nigerian authorities.
The US tech giant is facing more than $290 million (about £218 million) in penalties from three Nigerian regulatory agencies, which accused the company of violating several laws and regulations last year.
Meta’s recent bid to overturn the sanctions at the Federal High Court in Abuja was unsuccessful.
In court documents, the company stated, “The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.”
Though Meta also owns WhatsApp, the messaging platform was not mentioned in the filings.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Adamu Abdullahi, said joint investigations with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) between May 2021 and December 2023 uncovered “invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria.”
He, however, did not elaborate on the specific violations.
Meta, in its court submission, accused the NDPC of misinterpreting privacy laws, stating that its main concern was the commission’s demand for prior approval before transferring personal data out of Nigeria — a condition Meta described as
“unrealistic.”
The High Court has given the company until the end of June to settle the fines.
BBC reports that Meta has yet to respond to inquiries on its next steps.
In July 2024, the FCCPC imposed a $220 million fine on Meta over alleged anti-competitive practices.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria followed with a $37.5 million penalty for unapproved adverts, while the NDPC fined the company $32.8 million for alleged data privacy violations.
Beyond financial penalties, the NDPC instructed Meta to add an icon linking users to educational videos on data privacy risks.
These videos are expected to be developed in collaboration with government-approved institutions and NGOs.
The NDPC said the content should focus on the dangers of “manipulative and unfair data processing”
that could lead to health and financial risks for Nigerian users.
But Meta pushed back, saying the demands were unworkable and the agency had “failed to properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria Over $290m Fines, ‘Unrealistic’ Demands
Meta has warned it may shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria due to mounting fines and what it described as “unrealistic” regulatory requirements imposed by Nigerian authorities.
The US tech giant is facing more than $290 million (about £218 million) in penalties from three Nigerian regulatory agencies, which accused the company of violating several laws and regulations last year.
Meta’s recent bid to overturn the sanctions at the Federal High Court in Abuja was unsuccessful.
In court documents, the company stated, “The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.”
Though Meta also owns WhatsApp, the messaging platform was not mentioned in the filings.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Adamu Abdullahi, said joint investigations with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) between May 2021 and December 2023 uncovered “invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria.”
He, however, did not elaborate on the specific violations.
Meta, in its court submission, accused the NDPC of misinterpreting privacy laws, stating that its main concern was the commission’s demand for prior approval before transferring personal data out of Nigeria — a condition Meta described as
“unrealistic.”
The High Court has given the company until the end of June to settle the fines.
BBC reports that Meta has yet to respond to inquiries on its next steps.
In July 2024, the FCCPC imposed a $220 million fine on Meta over alleged anti-competitive practices.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria followed with a $37.5 million penalty for unapproved adverts, while the NDPC fined the company $32.8 million for alleged data privacy violations.
Beyond financial penalties, the NDPC instructed Meta to add an icon linking users to educational videos on data privacy risks.
These videos are expected to be developed in collaboration with government-approved institutions and NGOs.
The NDPC said the content should focus on the dangers of “manipulative and unfair data processing”
that could lead to health and financial risks for Nigerian users.
But Meta pushed back, saying the demands were unworkable and the agency had “failed to properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
Join us on our Whatssap Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOIR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌍 Closer to Your Doorstep