Nigeria’s data regulator and Meta are negotiating a settlement to resolve a $32.8 million privacy fine currently before the Federal High Court.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and Meta Platforms Inc., owner of Facebook and Instagram, have agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement over a $32.8 million fine imposed on the company for alleged data privacy violations involving Nigerian users.
Lawyers from both sides informed Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that settlement talks had reached an “advanced stage” and asked the court to defer ruling on pending applications. The judge adjourned the case to 31 October for either adoption of the settlement terms or a ruling.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) fined Meta in February over alleged breaches of the Data Protection Act, including behavioural advertising without consent, failure to file its 2022 audit, and unauthorised data transfers abroad.
Meta challenged the process, claiming it was denied fair hearing.