Meta is threatening to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria due to a dispute over fines imposed by Nigerian regulatory bodies.
The company is facing a total of approximately $290.3 million in fines from three government agencies:
1. Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): $220 million fine for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
2. Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON): $37.5 million fine over unapproved advertising.
3. Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC): $32.8 million fine for alleged data privacy breach.
Meta claims that Nigeria’s data protection demands are excessive and unrealistic, and that complying with the requirements would place an unreasonable burden on its operations in the country.
The company has until the end of June to pay the fine.
The Nigerian government has accused Meta of violating the country’s data protection and consumer rights laws on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Meta disagrees with the decision, stating that its platforms provide users with control over their information.
The FCCPC has responded to Meta’s threat, saying that the company’s actions are “a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision”.
The commission added that Meta has been sanctioned for similar breaches in other countries but has never threatened to exit those markets.
