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Nigerian users could face disruptions to Facebook and Instagram services as Meta, the parent company of both platforms, battles steep fines and what it describes as unworkable regulatory conditions set by the Nigerian government.
In 2024, three key Nigerian regulatory bodies levied a combined total of over $290 million in fines against the United States (U.S)-based tech giant, citing breaches of competition, advertising, and data protection laws.
Meta recently sought to overturn the penalties through legal action, but its challenge was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, further escalating tensions between the company and Nigerian authorities.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company said.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, has pushed back against a series of regulatory fines imposed by Nigerian authorities, calling the penalties excessive and the legal interpretations flawed.
Although Meta owns WhatsApp, the company did not reference the messaging platform in its official response.
The Nigerian high court has ordered Meta to settle the fines by the end of June.
Facebook remains the most widely used social media platform in Nigeria, playing a central role in personal communication, news sharing, and supporting the digital economy through small businesses that rely on its services.
In July 2024, Meta was hit with three major fines:
A $220 million penalty from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over alleged anti-competitive practices.
A $37.5 million fine from the country’s advertising regulator for running unapproved campaigns.
A $32.8 million sanction from the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for alleged violations of data privacy laws.
According to FCCPC CEO Adamu Abdullahi, a joint investigation with the NDPC between May 2021 and December 2023 uncovered invasive practices affecting Nigerian users, though specific infractions were not publicly detailed.
In court filings, Meta objected primarily to the NDPC’s demands, arguing the commission had misapplied Nigeria’s data protection laws.
One key dispute centers on the requirement for Meta to obtain prior approval before transferring any personal data out of Nigeria, a mandate the company labeled as impractical.
Other NDPC directives include the development of educational videos on data privacy risks, to be created in partnership with government-approved institutions and non-profits.
The commission specified that these videos should warn users about harmful and exploitative data practices that could endanger their financial or medical wellbeing.
Meta dismissed the requirements as unworkable and accused the NDPC of lacking a clear understanding of international data standards.
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