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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has accused Meta, owners of Whatsapp, of blackmail.
It described the microblogging giant’s threat to exit the country in response to a $220m fine imposed on it as a ploy to sway public opinion and compel the commission to reconsider its decision.
The FCCPC stated that Meta Platforms Inc., the parent corporation of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, was fined $220 million due to cogent concerns over consumer protection and data privacy rules that went against legal requirements.
It had instructed WhatsApp to stop transmitting user data to Facebook businesses and other third parties without express permission, to disclose data collecting practices, and give users back control over how their data is used.
However, after a comprehensive 38-month examination of Meta’s data privacy procedures and market behaviour, the commission found that Meta had repeatedly violated both the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation and the the FCCPC Act.
Consequently, the commission fined the parent company $220 million for its discriminatory activities against Nigerian users and for appropriating personal data without the permission of the user.
The FCCPC in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused the firm of discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions, among other infractions.
“WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision,” the statement read.
“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.
“The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying 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 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 the alleged infringements the FCCPC also imposed a monetary penalty of $220m.
“The FCCPC’s actions are based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria. Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different.”
