Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp and Facebook, has announced plans to appeal a landmark $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged data privacy violations and discriminatory practices affecting millions of Nigerian users.
The fine, upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday, follows a sweeping 38-month investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Regulators found that Meta and WhatsApp engaged in unauthorised sharing of personal data, denied Nigerians the right to control their information, and treated Nigerian users less favourably than those in other countries. The commission also cited abuse of market dominance and exploitative privacy policies as grounds for the penalty.
In addition to the $220 million fine, Meta and WhatsApp have been ordered to pay $35,000 to cover the cost of the FCCPC’s investigation and to immediately bring their data practices in line with Nigerian law. The tribunal directed Meta to stop sharing Nigerian users’ information with Facebook and third parties, reinstate user consent mechanisms, and revert to its 2016 data-sharing policy. Meta must submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and NDPC by July 1, 2025, and pay the fines within 60 days.
Reacting to the decision, WhatsApp stated, “We are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users.” The company argues that the ruling misrepresents how WhatsApp operates and contains inaccuracies about its data practices. Meta maintains that the fine is excessive and that some of the FCCPC’s directives are technically impossible to implement under Nigerian law.
The FCCPC, however, insists that Meta’s actions contravened the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act. According to Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, acting executive vice chairman of the FCCPC, the commission is committed to protecting Nigerian consumers and ensuring that multinational tech companies comply with local regulations.
With an estimated 51 million WhatsApp users in Nigeria, the outcome of Meta’s appeal could have far-reaching implications for digital privacy and tech regulation in Africa’s largest market. The case also sends a strong message to other global technology firms about the importance of respecting Nigerian consumer rights and adhering to local data protection laws.
