FCCPC reacts to WhatsApp’s alleged threat to leave Nigeria over $220 million fine

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reacted to a reported claim that WhatsApp may leave Nigeria over the recent $220 million fine imposed on it by the consumer protection authority.

The Commission described the claim as a a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring it to reconsider its decision.

While insisting that there is no going back on its decision, FCCPC reiterated Meta’s platforms were thoroughly investigated  for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

The Commission said it found that WhatsApp engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA and the NDPR.

“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies,” it said.

The Commission added that he final order requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights.

“The FCCPC's actions are based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria. Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different,” it said.

A report by Tech Cabal quoting an unnamed spokesperson of Meta had claimed that WhatsApp may leave Nigeria because it would be difficult to operate in the country or anywhere else with all the conditions set by the FCCPC.

Meanwhile, Tech Track Africa can confirm that Nigeria is not the first to sanction Meta over mismanagement of users’ data. Last year, the European Data Protection Board slammed a landmark fine of $1.3 billion against the company for violating EU privacy laws by transferring the personal data of Facebook users to servers in the United States.