Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fined Meta Platforms $220 million for violating data privacy laws.
The fine was imposed on Meta’s data-sharing practices on Facebook and WhatsApp, which breached local consumer and data protection regulations.
The FCCPC, in a statement signed by Acting Executive Chairman Adamu Abdullahi, accused Meta of denying Nigerian users control over their data, sharing data without consent, and abusing its market dominance.
“Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their data and shared data without consent,” Abdullahi stated.
The commission initiated its investigation in May 2021, based on evidence suggesting Meta had violated the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019. These regulations were in place before the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 was enacted.
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Meta did respond to document requests and summons, and its representatives met with FCCPC investigators. Despite this, the investigation found Meta engaged in abusive practices towards Nigerian data consumers, including collecting personal data without consent and implementing discriminatory practices.
“Meta representatives and their retained legal counsel have consistently engaged with and met investigators and analysts from the commission and the NDPC,” the FCCPC noted.
The final order mandates that Meta must comply with Nigerian laws and cease exploiting consumers. The commission emphasized that Meta must stop unauthorized data transfers, including cross-border storage, and end discriminatory practices.
“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse,” the FCCPC stated.
This decision follows the dismissal of a N30 billion lawsuit filed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria against Meta by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the case after the plaintiff’s attorney submitted a notice of discontinuance.