FG Reacts to WhatsApp’s Threat to Exit Nigeria Over $220m Fine

Posted by Thandiubani on Fri 02nd Aug, 2024 - tori.ng

FG reaffirmed its earlier stance that the tech platform discriminated against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abused its dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has tackled Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram for threatening to exit Nigeria after it was slammed with a $220m fine by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

In a post on its X platform late on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Nigerian consumer protection agency described the threat to exit by Meta as a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.

It reaffirmed its earlier stance that the tech platform discriminated against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abused its dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.

Trouble started when FCCPC fined Meta the sum of $220m for an unauthorised appropriation of personal data without user consent, and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users.

Reacting to the fine, Meta has threatened that it may be forced to exit the country despite filling an appeal against the penalty imposed on it.

In the counter reaction by the FCCPC, the statement reads:

“WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion 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 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.

“The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA 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.”

It added that, “The final order 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.

“To deter future violations and ensure accountability for the alleged infringements the FCCPC also imposed a monetary penalty of $220m.

“The FCCPC’s actions are based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria. Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different,” the statement concluded