Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed a $220 million fine on the global company, Meta Platforms Inc. (META.O).
Gatekeepers News reports that the fine follows FG’s findings that data-sharing practices on Meta Facebook and WhatsApp platforms breached local consumer protection, data protection, and privacy laws.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Adama Abdullahi revealed this through a statement released on Friday.
According to Abdullahi; the sanction is in accordance with FCCPA 2018, and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (administrative penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).
The agency said the penalty follows a joint investigation by FCCPC, and Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the firm’s conduct, privacy policies, operation thereof, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023.
An investigation conducted by FCCPC revealed that Meta made use of the data of Nigerian users without seeking proper consent.
It also accused Meta of abusing its market dominance by applying discriminatory practices to Nigerian users, treating them differently from users in other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks.
Meta is however yet to comment on the fine or the FCCPC’s allegations.
