Nigeria: Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) imposed a fine of $220 million on parent company of WhatsApp, ‘Meta’ for data privacy violations. Considering which, WhatsApp may leave from Nigeria soon.
Reportedly, Nigeria has 51 million WhatsApp users and Meta has appealed the fine. Other than this Meta also owns social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, which also has million users from Nigeria.
In an official statement released by FCCPC on their ‘X’ handle (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, the agency noted that WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit the country due to the fine which “appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.”
The post was shared in response to a report published by ‘TechCabal’ that the instant messaging App may withdraw its services over the regulator’s demand.
A WhatApp spokesperson told the media that they want to be really clear that technically, based on the order, it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or at the global level.
As per the sources, WhatsApp a social media messaging application owned by Meta Platform Incorporation was investigated for an alleged violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
WhatsApp was fined after a three-year investigation, which was conducted over allegations, over a statement that the privacy policy of the company was “foisted” on users.
According to the statement, the regulator found that Meta Parties (WhatsApp) is engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA and the NDPR laws.
Furthermore, the agency said, “These infringements denies 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.”
“The final order requires Meta to take significant steps, to comply with Nigerian law and stop exploiting Nigerian consumer by changing their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect the consumer rights,” explained the agency.
However, to deter future violations and ensure accountability for the alleged infringements, the FCCPC also imposed a monetary penalty of $220 million. The regulator reiterated the decision to enforce the consumer protection law, which is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria.
The commission also noted that Nigeria’s case will not be different as similar measures are taken in other countries without forcing digital companies to leave the market.
In a recent lawsuit, Meta agreed to pay $1.4 billion in the United States, over allegations of illegal biometric data collection without the consent of users.