The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed WhatsApp’s claim that it may exit Nigeria due to a recent regulatory order, calling it a tactic to sway public opinion.
According to a statement released by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu on Saturday, the commission investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp for breaching the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and Nigeria Data Protection Regulation. The probe revealed repeated violations, including unauthorized data sharing and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users.
Meta was found to have denied Nigerians control over their personal data and abused its market dominance with unfair privacy policies. The FCCPC noted that Meta faced similar penalties in Texas ($1.5 billion), the EU ($1.3 billion), India, South Korea, France, and Australia but never threatened to leave those markets.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s order, mandating Meta to comply with Nigerian laws and respect consumer rights. The commission stressed that threatening to exit does not exempt Meta from legal accountability.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing consumer protection and data privacy laws. It aims to foster a fairer digital market in Nigeria, aligning with global standards.
