The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned that the social media giant Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, cannot escape legal responsibility by simply threatening to leave Nigeria.
This statement comes in response to Meta’s claims that it may be forced to exit the country following an enforcement order issued by the FCCPC. The commission described Meta’s comments as a deliberate attempt to stir public sympathy and pressure the agency into backing down.
According to the FCCPC, both Meta and WhatsApp—referred to as the “Meta Parties”—were investigated for alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and data protection laws, specifically the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
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The commission found that Meta committed several serious breaches. These included denying Nigerian users full control over their personal data, transferring and sharing user information without proper consent, treating Nigerian users unfairly compared to users in other countries, and abusing its dominant position in the market through forced and unfair privacy policies.
The issue of Meta privacy violations in Nigeria has gained attention following a pattern of similar offenses in other countries. In the United States, Meta was fined $1.5 billion in Texas for privacy-related infractions. In the European Union, the company faced a $1.3 billion penalty for breaking data privacy rules. South Korea, India, France, and Australia have also sanctioned Meta for related breaches.
However, the FCCPC noted that in those countries, Meta complied with legal decisions without threatening to shut down operations. The commission emphasized that the same standard should apply in Nigeria.
“Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities from a concluded legal process,” said Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC.
The recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s final order, which requires Meta to comply with Nigerian laws, end exploitative practices, and respect consumer rights in line with international standards.
Mr. Ijagwu reassured Nigerians that the FCCPC remains committed to protecting consumer data and ensuring accountability in the digital space. He also reiterated that Meta privacy violations in Nigeria would not be overlooked, and any company operating in the country must obey its laws.
“The FCCPC is focused on building a fairer digital market in Nigeria where the rights of all users are protected,” the statement concluded.
The case marks a significant moment in the push for stronger consumer data protection and accountability in Nigeria’s digital economy, especially amid growing concerns about how global tech companies handle user information.
