The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed claims that its recent $220 million fine on WhatsApp could drive the platform out of Nigeria. The FCCPC stated that WhatsApp's threat to exit the country aims to sway public opinion and pressure the commission to reconsider its decision. This follows a report indicating WhatsApp’s potential withdrawal from Nigeria due to the fine, which WhatsApp says would make it impossible to operate without Meta's infrastructure.
As of February 2024, 51 million Nigerians use WhatsApp. In July, the FCCPC accused Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, of data privacy violations, including unauthorized data sharing and abuse of dominance. The fine followed a 38-month investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The FCCPC emphasized that its actions were driven by consumer protection and data privacy concerns, and it expects Meta to comply with local standards. The commission noted that similar regulatory measures are enforced in other countries without companies exiting those markets.
Meta is appealing the fine, citing 22 reasons for its challenge, including vague directives and procedural errors. Babatunde Irukera, former FCCPC chairman, pointed out that Meta has faced and settled larger fines in other jurisdictions without threatening to leave those markets.
Play audio
No comments