The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection agency portrayed Meta’s threat to leave the nation in response to the $220 million punishment as an attempt to sway public opinion and force the agency to reconsider its judgement.
It affirmed that the decision to punish Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, was based on valid concerns about consumer protection and data privacy regulations that violated applicable laws.
Last week, the FCCPC ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with Facebook and third parties without explicit consent, disclose data collecting details, and restore user control over data usage.
Following a 38-month examination into Meta parties’ data privacy procedures and market conduct, the commission concluded that they violated the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation on many occasions.
It punished the parent business $220 million for unlawful appropriation of personal data without user authorisation, as well as discriminatory tactics against Nigerian users.
Although the verdict has been appealed, WhatsApp told The PUNCH in an email on Thursday that the penalty levied may have an impact on the messaging platform’s services in the country.
This is because WhatsApp relies on its parent company’s limited data infrastructure to run its service and keep customers secure.
A WhatsApp spokeswoman responded, “WhatsApp relies on limited data to run our service and keep users safe. Without Meta’s infrastructure, we would be unable to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally.”This decision contains numerous falsehoods and misrepresents how WhatsApp operates, and we are urgently appealing the ruling to avoid any impact on users.”
It punished the parent business $220 million for unlawful appropriation of personal data without user authorisation, as well as discriminatory tactics against Nigerian users.
However, the verdict has been challenged. WhatsApp According to an email sent to The PUNCH on Thursday, the enforced penalty may impact messaging platform services in the country.
This is because WhatsApp relies on its parent company’s limited data infrastructure to run its service and keep customers secure.
A WhatsApp spokeswoman responded, saying, “WhatsApp relies on limited data to run our service and keep users secure, and it would be difficult to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure.
“This order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works and we are urgently appealing the order to avoid any impact to users.”
However, in a post on X (previously Twitter) late Thursday night, the Consumer Protection Commission declared that the company discriminated against Nigerian customers in comparison to consumers in other jurisdictions and exploited its dominating market position by imposing discriminatory privacy regulations.
It further stated that the order is a positive step towards a fair digital market in Nigeria.
The statement stated, “WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to leave Nigeria as a result of the FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.”
“The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation. “The Commission ruled that Meta Parties participated in multiple and persistent violations 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 continued: “The 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.”To deter future infractions and ensure accountability for suspected infringements, the FCCPC levied a $220 million monetary penalty.
“The FCCPC’s actions stem from real concerns about consumer protection and data privacy, and the order represents a welcome step towards a more equitable digital market in Nigeria. Similar procedures are implemented in other jurisdictions without forcing enterprises to exit the marketplace. The situation in Nigeria will not be different,” the statement said.