Nigeria Fines Meta $220 Million for Violating Consumer and Data Protection Laws

Nigeria has imposed a hefty fine of $220 million (approximately Ksh.28.3 billion) on Meta Platforms Inc., following a comprehensive investigation into the company’s data practices. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria announced this decision on Friday, citing numerous violations of local consumer protection, data privacy, and data protection laws.

Investigations Reveal Violations

The FCCPC’s investigation, conducted in collaboration with Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission, spanned over 38 months. The inquiry uncovered that Meta had inappropriately handled Nigerian users’ data across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. The investigation highlighted that Meta’s policies did not provide users with adequate options to control or withhold consent for the collection, use, and sharing of their personal data.

FCCPC Chief Adamu Abdullahi stated that Meta had exploited its market dominance by enforcing overly intrusive privacy policies and providing disparate treatment to Nigerian users compared to individuals in other jurisdictions with similar regulations. Abdullahi described Meta’s practices as “abusive and invasive,” emphasizing that the company had repeatedly and continuously infringed upon the rights of Nigerian data subjects.

Regulatory Response and Compliance Mandates

The fine is part of a broader regulatory response aimed at ensuring Meta’s compliance with Nigerian laws. The FCCPC’s final order mandates specific actions and steps that Meta must undertake to rectify its practices and align with local legal standards. This move reflects a growing trend among global regulatory bodies to hold tech giants accountable for data protection breaches.

In addition to the Nigerian fine, Meta has faced scrutiny and fines from other countries. Earlier this year, Turkey’s competition board fined Meta 1.2 billion lira (approximately Ksh.4.7 billion) for similar data-sharing issues. The company has also encountered backlash in Europe over its plans to use personal data for training its artificial intelligence models without explicit consent.

Broader Implications

This action by Nigeria is part of a larger global trend where regulatory authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the practices of major tech companies, particularly concerning data privacy and consumer protection. South Africa’s competition watchdog has also announced plans to investigate whether digital platforms, including Meta, unfairly compete with news publishers by utilizing their content to generate ad revenue.

Meta’s response to the fine has yet to be officially communicated, but the company has engaged with legal representatives and provided some documentation to the FCCPC. As the tech giant navigates these regulatory challenges, it will be crucial for Meta to address the concerns raised and implement necessary changes to comply with international data protection standards.

This fine underscores the importance of robust data protection practices and serves as a reminder to tech companies worldwide of the increasing vigilance of regulatory bodies in safeguarding consumer rights and privacy.