Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, has been fined $220 million by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged data privacy breaches.
In a statement released on Friday, the FCCPC explained that this penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).
Acting Chief Executive Officer Adamu Abdullahi stated that Meta was found to have violated Nigerian data subjects’ rights by denying them self-determination, engaging in unauthorized data transfer and sharing, including cross-border storage, and practicing discrimination, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling.
The FCCPC initiated its investigation in May 2021, issuing an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc., based on evidence and probable cause. This investigation, conducted jointly with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), examined Meta’s privacy policies and practices over a span of 38 months.
The investigation revealed that Meta engaged in multiple, repeated infringements of the FCCPA and NDPR, including appropriating personal data without consent, discriminatory practices, and abusing its market position by enforcing exploitative privacy policies. The commission has now finalized its order, detailing Meta’s violations and mandating compliance with Nigerian laws to protect consumer rights.
The Final Order imposes a $220 million penalty, emphasizing steps Meta must take to align with national standards and prevent future misconduct. This fine is in line with the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).
