The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has stated that Meta’s exit threat from Nigeria does not shield the social media giant from liability, stressing that the outcome of an ongoing judicial process will not be nullified by the company’s threat to leave the country.
The Commission also criticised WhatsApp’s threat that it could be compelled to leave Nigeria in response to the FCCPC’s recent regulatory order as a calculated attempt to incite public outrage and put excessive pressure on the regulator to reconsider its position.
The consumer protection agency responded on Saturday with a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has warned that it may be forced to shut down the two social media platforms in Nigeria due to large regulatory fines and what it calls “unrealistic” demands from authorities.
The tech behemoth issued the warning in a court file obtained by the BBC.
On July 19, 2024, the FCCPC levied a $220 million fine on Meta, WhatsApp’s parent firm, for several data privacy infractions.
The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (together known as the “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
The technology conglomerate issued the warning in a court file obtained by the BBC.
On July 19, 2024, the FCCPC levied a $220 million fine on Meta, WhatsApp’s parent firm, for several data privacy infractions.
The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (together known as the “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
The FCCPC stated that Meta followed regulatory guidelines and did not use blackmail or threats to leave countries. Threats to leave would not change the agency’s decision.
The statement read, “WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction 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.
“Interestingly, Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5bn) and only recently was asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating EU data privacy rules.
“Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches.”
“But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.
“The recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal 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, consistent with international best practices.
“Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the FCCPC remains committed in its pursuit of consumer protection and data privacy towards ensuring a fairer digital market in Nigeria.”
