The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria has fined Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC $220 million for data privacy violations and discriminatory practices. The penalty follows three years of intensive investigations into the companies’ handling of Nigerian data subjects’ rights.
Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, stated that the companies were found guilty of unauthorized transfer and sharing of personal data, which denied Nigerians the right to self-determination regarding their data—a choice provided to users in other regions. He noted that when users register for WhatsApp, they automatically agree to share their data for research, unlike in other areas where users can opt out.
The FCCPC has received international recognition for this investigation and sanction, highlighting its stand against anti-competitive practices by multinational corporations.
In addition to the fine, the FCCPC has undertaken various initiatives to promote consumer protection and fair competition, including implementing measures to curb price gouging and enhancing consumer education in secondary schools. The Commission also introduced sensitization programs for traditional and religious leaders to empower them as consumer protection agents.
The most common consumer complaints in Nigeria’s electricity industry include exploitative billing, unlawful disconnection, non-metering of customers, and lack of transformers. The FCCPC has prioritized interventions in this sector to promote transparency and improve service delivery.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCCPC’s final order includes a reimbursement fee of $35,000 in addition to the $220 million penalty for Meta and WhatsApp’s violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).