The Nigerian government has imposed a hefty $220 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for violating data privacy regulations. This significant action by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was announced on Friday, July 19.

Violations and Consequences

According to Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Meta was found guilty of several serious infractions. These include:

• Unauthorized Transfer and Sharing of Nigerian Data: Meta was found to have transferred and shared personal data of Nigerian citizens without proper authorization.
• Cross-Border Storage Violations: The company was accused of improper handling and storage of data across borders, violating local data protection laws.
• Discrimination and Disparate Treatment: Meta engaged in discriminatory practices, treating certain data subjects unfairly.
• Abuse of Dominance: The company was found to be misusing its dominant position in the market.
• Tying and Bundling Practices: Meta was involved in unfair practices of tying and bundling services, which restricted consumer choice.

Moreover, Meta was accused of denying Nigerian data subjects the right to make decisions about their personal data, further exacerbating the violations.

Implications for Data Privacy

This fine underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to enforcing data privacy laws and protecting the personal information of its citizens. The FCCPC’s action is part of a broader global trend where governments are increasingly scrutinizing and regulating tech giants over data privacy concerns.

A Global Perspective

The move by Nigeria reflects a growing international awareness and response to data privacy issues. Around the world, countries are implementing stricter regulations to ensure that tech companies respect the privacy and data rights of individuals. This fine serves as a warning to other tech giants that violations of data privacy laws will not be tolerated.

Statement

“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) jointly referred to as ‘Meta Parties’ in respect to this investigation. 

“The subject of the ONSC was to relay the Commission’s investigative report in respect of its findings that the Meta Parties by their conduct have violated the above stated provisions of the FCCPA and NDPR (which was in force prior to the enactment and operationalisation of the NDPA (Nigeria Data Protection Act), 2023) and for the Meta Parties to show reasonable cause why the Commission should not proceed to enter its orders as final and enforceable pursuant to the FCCPA, particularly sections 17, 18, 155, and 159.

“Between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months, a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Parties conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and Meta Parties practices has evolved.

“Meta Parties have provided some information/evidence that are in part responsive to document requests and summons under the joint investigation.

“Meta Parties by themselves, and retained counsels have also repeatedly engaged with, and met with investigators and analysts from the Commission, and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.

“The totality of the investigation has concluded that Meta Parties over a protracted period of time have engaged in conduct that constitute multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements of the FCCA and NDPR, particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria, such as appropriating personal data or information without consent, discriminatory practices against Nigerian data subjects/consumers or disparate treatment of consumers/data subjects compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks, abuse of dominant market position by forcing unscrupulous, exploitative, and non-compliant privacy policies which appropriated consumer personal information without the option or opportunity to self-determine or otherwise withhold or provide consent to the gathering, use, and/or sharing of such personal data.

“Being satisfied with the significant evidence on the record, and that Meta Parties have been provided every opportunity to articulate any position, representations, refutations, explanations or defences of their conduct and practices under law, the Commission have now entered a Final Order, and issued a penalty against Meta Parties.

“The Final Order more elaborately describes the specific conduct or practices of the Meta Parties, relationship between Meta Parties with respect to the infringements, particularly with regard to: Denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determine; Unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian data-subjects personal data, including cross- border storage in violation of then, and now prevailing law; Discrimination and disparate treatment; Abuse of Dominance; and Tying and bundling.

“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse, as well as desist from future similar or other conduct/practices that do not meet nationally applicable standards and undermine the rights of consumers.

“The Final order also imposes a monetary penalty of Two Hundred and Twenty Million U.S. Dollars only ($220,000,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) which penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).”