WhatsApp has announced that its parent company, Meta, plans to appeal the $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for allegedly violating Nigeria’s data privacy laws.
In a statement released on Saturday, WhatsApp expressed disagreement with both the decision and the fine, stating, “We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine and Meta will be appealing the decision.”
The controversy stems from a 2021 update when WhatsApp informed users globally about new ways to interact with businesses on the platform. Despite initial confusion, the update has since gained popularity.
The FCCPC’s acting Executive Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, accused Meta of denying Nigerian users control over their data, sharing it without consent, and abusing its market dominance. The commission’s final order included a $220 million penalty, citing violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020.
The FCCPC began its investigation in May 2021, based on evidence that Meta’s platforms breached the FCCPA 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019. These regulations were in place before the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 was enacted.
During the investigation, Meta cooperated by providing requested documents and information. Representatives and legal counsel from Meta engaged with the commission and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), with meetings continuing as recently as April 2024.
The FCCPC’s investigation revealed that Meta collected personal data without consent and discriminated against Nigerian users, among other violations.
Meta Platforms, Inc., headquartered in Menlo Park, California, owns and operates major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
