In a landmark decision, the Nigerian government has imposed a staggering fine of N350 billion (equivalent to $220 million or €202 million) on Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for violating consumer and data protection laws. The fine underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing data privacy and consumer rights, setting a precedent in Africa’s tech landscape.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) revealed that an extensive investigation uncovered significant breaches on Meta’s Facebook and WhatsApp platforms. According to FCCPC Chairman Adama Abdullahi, Meta had appropriated the data of Nigerian users without their consent, exploited its market dominance, and subjected Nigerians to discriminatory treatment compared to users in other regions with similar regulations.
“Meta’s actions not only undermine the trust of Nigerian consumers but also represent a blatant disregard for our local laws and regulations. This fine sends a clear message that such violations will not be tolerated,” Abdullahi stated emphatically.
Despite the severity of the allegations, Meta has yet to issue an official response regarding the fine. This silence comes in the wake of increasing global scrutiny over Meta’s data practices.
Earlier this year, the European Union privacy regulator imposed a hefty fine of over $400 million on Meta for compelling users to consent to personalized ads based on their online activity, in violation of the EU’s stringent data privacy regulations. This penalty was part of a series of fines, amounting to more than €900 million, levied against Meta since 2021 for various GDPR infringements.
The EU ruling highlighted Meta’s practice of embedding consent within its terms of service, effectively bypassing the need for explicit user agreement. This approach was deemed illegal under the GDPR, which mandates clear and informed consent from users for data processing activities.
The Nigerian fine represents a significant escalation in the global crackdown on tech giants’ data practices. As nations around the world tighten their data privacy laws, Meta and other tech companies are facing increased pressure to comply with local regulations and ensure transparent and ethical handling of user data.
This historic fine could mark the beginning of more stringent regulatory actions across Africa, emphasizing the importance of user privacy and data protection in the digital age.
PIONEER NEWS 