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.
Nigeria tribunal upholds $220 million fine against Meta and WhatsApp over data violations
Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, for violating the country’s data protection and consumer rights laws. The tribunal also ordered Meta and WhatsApp to pay an additional $35,000 to reimburse the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for investigative costs. Both penalties must be paid within 60 days. The FCCPC’s investigation, conducted jointly with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, began in 2020 and spanned 38 months. Regulators found that Meta and WhatsApp engaged in unauthorized data sharing, discriminatory handling of Nigerian users’ information, and exploitative practices that breached constitutional privacy guarantees. The Commission argued these actions gave unauthorized access to personal data and treated Nigerian users differently from those in other regions. Meta and WhatsApp challenged the FCCPC’s penalty, arguing that the directives were vague, technically impossible to implement, and not grounded in Nigerian law. They also claimed they were not given a fair hearing or a clear explanation of how the fine was calculated. However, the tribunal, led by Thomas Okosun, dismissed the appeal, stating that Meta was given ample opportunity to defend itself and that the FCCPC acted fully within its legal mandate. “The tribunal finds that the FCCPC did not exceed its powers while making orders with respect to data protection. The appellants were given ample opportunity to be heard,” said Okosun. Beyond the financial penalties, the tribunal issued several directives to Meta and WhatsApp: Restore Nigerian users’ right to control how their data is shared. Cease all data sharing between WhatsApp and Facebook or third parties unless explicit user consent is obtained. Revert to the 2016 data-sharing policy for Nigerian users. Submit a compliance letter to the FCCPC and Nigeria Data Protection Commission by July 1, 2025. Provide and publish a revised user data policy within 10 days. This ruling adds to Meta’s growing list of regulatory challenges worldwide. The company is currently facing similar fines in the European Union for data privacy violations. Nigeria, with over 164 million internet subscriptions as of March 2025, is one of Meta’s largest markets in Africa, making this decision particularly significant for the tech giant’s operations on the continent. FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, hailed the judgment as a victory for Nigerian consumers and a clear message that no company is above the law. Meta has denied any wrongdoing and expressed disagreement with the ruling, but must comply with the tribunal’s orders by the end of June 2025.
FBI dismantles Nigerian-linked sextortion ring, links 20+ suicides to $65M scam
The FBI has disrupted a global sextortion network tied to Nigerian perpetrators, arresting 22 suspects and linking the crimes to over 20 American teen suicides. Victims lost nearly $65 million in two years, with cases surging 30% in recent months. Perpetrators posed as peers or love interests on social media, luring victims, mostly boys aged 14–17, into sharing explicit photos. They then demanded payments via gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, often continuing threats even after payment. The emotional toll proved deadly: more than 20 minors died by suicide since 2021, including Jordan DeMay, a Michigan teen blackmailed by Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, who now face up to 30 years in prison. The FBI’s unprecedented crackdown involved agents from 13 U.S. cities, including St. Louis, collaborating with Nigerian authorities. “There’s no place to hide. Criminals will face consequences,” said FBI attaché Otunde Ademi in Nigeria. Three suspects have been extradited to the U.S., with others awaiting transfer. One grieving parent featured in an FBI video compared the crime to a home invasion: “Imagine someone frightening your child to death”. Investigators noted sextortion’s cyclical nature, perpetrators often escalate demands, leaving victims trapped in shame. Authorities urge parents to discuss online risks openly. “Children need to know they can come to you,” stressed St. Louis FBI agent Joe Weston. Public awareness campaigns in Nigeria aim to deter youth from viewing sextortion as a “victimless” crime, per EFCC investigator Abba Sambo. Victims should report incidents immediately via the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All suspects remain innocent until proven guilty.
Meta to remove 100 million fake Facebook pages over online scams and fake engagement
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched its most aggressive campaign yet against fake engagement and online scams, removing over 100 million fake Facebook Pages and tens of millions of impersonator profiles in 2024 alone. The sweeping action is part of Meta’s renewed effort to restore authenticity and trust on its platforms, responding to growing concerns over spam, impersonation, and cybercrime. Meta’s latest crackdown targets spam networks that coordinate fake engagement, such as scripted comments, excessive hashtags, and irrelevant captions, designed to artificially boost content reach and monetization. Accounts using these tactics now face reduced visibility and are barred from earning money through Facebook’s monetization programs. “We are committed to making Facebook’s Feed more relevant and helping creators break through,” Meta said in a statement. “Too many spammy content are crowding out authentic creators and hurting the Facebook experience”. To further clean up the platform, Meta is testing new features that allow users to flag disruptive or irrelevant comments, aiming to foster more meaningful interactions. The company is also enhancing its comment moderation tools, enabling creators to auto-hide comments from suspected fake accounts and report impersonators directly from comment sections. Impersonation remains a critical concern, especially for creators with large followings. In 2024, Meta removed more than 23 million profiles pretending to be content creators. The company is investing in advanced tools to detect and block these impersonators, further protecting users and creators from abuse. In a related effort, Meta has taken down about 63,000 Instagram accounts registered in Nigeria linked to sextortion scams, where criminals use fake profiles to extort victims with compromising photos. These scams, often coordinated by groups operating thousands of accounts, have targeted both adults and children, sometimes with tragic consequences. Meta also removed over 7,000 Facebook accounts, pages, and groups in Nigeria that were providing tips and manuals for conducting such scams. The company says most attempts were unsuccessful, but the rise in sextortion has increased pressure on social platforms to act decisively. Beyond removals, Meta is upgrading its Rights Manager tool to help creators protect their intellectual property and is providing more guidance to support original content. Accounts that attempt to manipulate the algorithm or flood feeds with low-quality content will face further penalties, including limited reach and exclusion from monetization. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has signaled a commitment to what he calls “OG Facebook,” promising users a feed filled with authentic, engaging posts from real people, not spam or scams.The company says it will keep investing in technology and moderation to ensure a safer, more rewarding experience for all users.
Intel to lay off over 21,000 employees this week
Intel, one of the world’s leading chipmakers, is set to lay off more than 21,000 employees this week, over 20% of its global workforce, in a sweeping restructuring move under its new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan. This marks Intel’s second round of mass layoffs in less than a year. In August 2024, the company had already cut 15,000 jobs as part of cost-saving measures. The latest cuts will primarily affect non-engineering roles, including administrative, sales, marketing, and support staff. The company has struggled to keep pace with rivals like Nvidia in the booming AI chip market and has faced declining revenues and profits. Intel’s previous CEO, Pat Gelsinger, launched an ambitious turnaround plan, but progress was slow and financial results remained disappointing. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took the helm last month, is moving quickly to reset Intel’s strategy. The company recently sold a majority stake in its programmable chip unit, Altera, and is now focusing on rebuilding engineering talent and revamping its manufacturing processes. “These decisions are not easy, but they are necessary to put Intel back on a path to growth and innovation,” Tan said in a statement. Intel’s layoffs are part of a broader trend of job cuts across the tech industry, as companies adjust to shifting market realities and economic pressures. Other major tech firms, including Google, Microsoft, and Unity, have also announced significant layoffs in recent months. Intel is expected to provide more details on its restructuring plans and future strategy during its upcoming first-quarter earnings call.
Meta launches Edits app globally, targeting TikTok and CapCut with watermark-free video creation
Meta, the parent company behind the new Edits app, has a significant history of privacy-related fines and regulatory scrutiny. Over the past five years, Meta’s major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have been fined a combined €2.6 billion for violations of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with a notable portion of these fines related to mishandling children’s data and unclear privacy policies. In Nigeria, the Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is currently investigating Meta for possible data breaches, particularly regarding behavioral advertising without explicit user consent. This investigation involves around 40 million Facebook accounts and could result in Meta forfeiting 2% of its gross revenue if found guilty. While Edits offers advanced creative tools and watermark-free exports, Meta has not publicly detailed any unique privacy features or enhanced data protection mechanisms specific to the app as of its global launch. Given Meta’s broader ecosystem, it is likely that Edits will operate under the same privacy policies as other Meta apps, which have been criticized for issues such as unclear privacy terms and default public account settings. Meta’s history suggests users should be mindful of data collection and privacy settings when using Edits. Regulatory bodies in multiple countries are actively monitoring Meta’s data practices. No unique privacy protections for Edits have been announced beyond Meta’s standard policies. Users concerned about privacy should review Meta’s privacy policy for Edits and stay informed with Dailytech about ongoing regulatory developments.