Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced its intention to appeal a $220 million fine recently imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
This penalty was levied for alleged violations of Nigerian data privacy laws.
In a statement, WhatsApp expressed its disagreement with both the FCCPC’s decision and the associated fine, confirming that Meta will challenge the ruling.
The FCCPC’s allegations include claims that Meta denied Nigerian users control over their data, shared user information without consent, and abused its market dominance.
The investigation into Meta began in May 2021, prompted by evidence suggesting breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019.
The FCCPC’s findings indicated that Meta engaged in abusive and invasive data practices, including collecting personal data without consent and discriminating against Nigerian users.
Meta’s representatives and legal team have been actively engaging with FCCPC investigators, providing necessary information and participating in meetings throughout the inquiry.
Meta Platforms, Inc., headquarter in Menlo Park, California, operates several major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
