Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fined Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, a staggering $220 million. The decision comes after an investigation revealed that Meta’s data-sharing practices on social platforms violated local consumer, data protection, and privacy laws in Nigeria.
The FCCPC found that Meta had unlawfully appropriated the data of Nigerian users on its platforms without their consent. Additionally, the company was accused of abusing its market dominance by imposing exploitative privacy policies on users. The investigation also highlighted discriminatory and disparate treatment of Nigerian users compared to other jurisdictions with similar regulations.
The FCCPC, in collaboration with Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission, conducted an extensive investigation spanning over 38 months. The probe revealed that Meta’s policies did not provide users with the option to self-determine or withhold consent for the gathering, use, and sharing of their personal data.
Adamu Abdullahi, the chief of the FCCPC, stated that Meta’s conduct constituted multiple and repeated infringements, particularly abusive and invasive practices against Nigerian data subjects. The commission’s final order requires Meta to take specific steps and actions to ensure compliance with local laws.
While Meta has not yet commented on the fine, the FCCPC confirmed that the company has provided some documents and engaged with legal counsel.
This is not the first time Meta has faced regulatory scrutiny regarding its data practices. In May, the competition board in Turkey imposed a 1.2 billion lira fine on Meta following investigations into data-sharing on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
Meta has also encountered challenges in Europe and other jurisdictions, where it has been accused of breaching data protection laws. The company’s plan to use personal data for training its artificial intelligence models without seeking explicit consent has triggered concerns and criticism in Europe.
As Meta faces fines and investigations in various countries, South Africa’s competition watchdog has announced its intention to examine whether digital platforms, including Meta, unfairly compete with news publishers by utilizing their content to generate advertising revenue.
The penalties imposed on Meta in Nigeria and other countries reflect a growing global concern over data privacy and the power of tech giants. With the increasing digitization of societies, regulators are prioritizing the protection of consumer rights and holding companies accountable for their actions.
As the Nigerian government takes a firm stand against violations of consumer and data protection laws, it sends a strong message to both domestic and international tech companies operating within the country. The fine imposed on Meta serves as a reminder that companies must prioritize user privacy and comply with local regulations to foster a fair and transparent digital environment.
