The Nigeria government through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has levied a $220 million penalty against Meta Platforms Inc. for alleged discriminatory practices against Nigerian data and consumers.
The announcement was made on Friday in a statement signed by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC. The penalty is the result of a 38-month joint investigation conducted by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta’s conduct, privacy policies, operations, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023.
In May 2021, the Commission had instructed WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook Inc.) to defend themselves against an investigative report that detailed alleged violations of relevant data laws. Meta provided some information in response to the document requests and summons issued during the investigation.
“Meta Parties, along with their retained counsels, have repeatedly engaged with and met investigators and analysts from the Commission and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024,” the statement added.
According to the commission, Meta had denied Nigerians the right to self-determine, unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerian data, including cross-border storage in violation; discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling
“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) jointly referred to as ‘Meta Parties’ in respect to this investigation,” FCCPC said.
