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The Nigerian Federal Government has reacted to threats that Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, may be forced out of the country following a $220 million fine recently imposed on it by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a post on platform X on Thursday evening, August 1, 2024, Nigeria’s consumer protection agency described Meta’s threat to leave as a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
It reiterated its previous position that the tech platform discriminates against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abuses its dominant market position by imposing unfair privacy policies.
The trouble started when the FCCPC fined Meta $220 million for harvesting personal data without user consent, and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users.
In response to the fine, Meta threatened to force the company out of the country despite appealing the sentence imposed on it.
In a response by the FCCPC, the statement read:
“WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced out of Nigeria due to the FCCPC’s latest order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
READ ALSO:Nigerian government fines Meta and WhatsApp $220 million for discriminatory practices
“The FCCPC is investigating the Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (collectively referred to as the “Meta Parties”) for alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigerian Data Protection Regulations.
“The Commission finds that the Meta Parties engaged in repeated violations of the FCCPA and the NDPR.
“These violations include denying Nigerian citizens the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian users’ data without their consent, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions, and abusing their dominant market position by imposing unfair privacy policies.”
He added, “The final order requires the 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.
“To deter future violations and ensure accountability for alleged violations, the FCCPC also imposed a monetary fine of $220 million.
“The FCCPC’s action is based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital marketplace in Nigeria. Similar actions have been taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. Nigeria’s case will be no different,” the statement concluded.
By: Babajide Okeowo
FG reacts to WhatsApp’s threat to exit Nigeria over $220 million fine first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
