The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has imposed a $200 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for discriminatory practices and other violations. This penalty follows a three-year investigation into the companies' handling of Nigerian data subjects.
Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, announced the fine during a press conference in Abuja. He explained that the investigation revealed Meta and WhatsApp's failure to grant Nigerian users the same data control options available in other regions. Specifically, Nigerian users were not given the choice to opt-out of data sharing for research purposes, a right provided in other countries.
Abdullahi noted that the investigation also uncovered unauthorized sharing of personal data across platforms. “The FCCPC issued a final order last week, imposing a monetary penalty of $200 million against Meta and WhatsApp for their discriminatory practices in Nigeria,” he stated. “We found that during WhatsApp registration, Nigerian users are automatically opted into data sharing, unlike users in other regions who can choose whether or not to share their data.”
The FCCPC's actions have received international recognition for addressing anti-competitive practices by multinational corporations. Abdullahi highlighted his tenure's achievements, including measures to curb price gouging, promote fair competition, and enhance consumer protection. The commission has also reviewed consumer education curricula in secondary schools and initiated awareness programs for traditional and religious leaders.
In addition, Abdullahi emphasized the FCCPC’s efforts to address common consumer complaints in the electricity sector, such as exploitative billing and inadequate metering, through various transparency and accountability initiatives.
The penalty of $200 million, along with a $35,000 reimbursement fee, was imposed for violations of the FCCPA Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, following a joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.
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