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 violating Nigeria’s data privacy laws.
“We disagree with today’s decision and the imposed fine; therefore, Meta will be appealing,” WhatsApp stated.
In 2021, WhatsApp informed users worldwide about how interactions with businesses would be handled. Despite initial confusion, the changes have become popular.
The FCCPC’s response came in a statement signed by its acting Executive Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi. The commission accused Meta of denying Nigerian users control over their data, sharing user data without consent, and abusing its market dominance.
According to the FCCPC, the $220 million fine aligns with the provisions of the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020. The commission initiated its investigation in May 2021, finding that Meta had breached the FCCPA 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which were in effect before the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 was implemented.
During the investigation, Meta responded to document requests and engaged with FCCPC and NDPC investigators and analysts. The FCCPC’s findings revealed that Meta had engaged in abusive and invasive practices toward Nigerian data consumers, including collecting personal data without consent and implementing discriminatory practices.
Meta Platforms, Inc., based in Menlo Park, California, is an American multinational technology conglomerate that owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, among other products and services.