Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday upheld a $220 million fine against Meta Platforms for violating the country’s consumer rights, data protection, and privacy laws.
The ruling follows an unsuccessful appeal by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, seeking to overturn the penalty imposed last year.
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) initially fined Meta in July 2024, accusing the company of discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers. Regulators said Meta’s operations in Nigeria violated local protections, especially when compared to its compliance standards in other jurisdictions with similar regulations.
The tribunal’s decision reinforces Nigeria’s growing efforts to tighten enforcement of digital privacy laws and protect consumer rights against global tech giants.
Meta’s legal team, led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), had argued that the FCCPC was relying too heavily on foreign legal frameworks that do not apply to Nigeria.
“There is no abuse of dominance since users can choose from other providers such as TikTok and Google Meet,” Elias said, calling the directives burdensome and excessive.
However, Babatunde Irukera (SAN), former executive vice chairman of the Commission, maintained that while foreign rulings are not binding, they are persuasive and relevant in similar legal contexts. He defended the fine as a corrective, not punitive, measure intended to end discriminatory practices and safeguard user consent.
The tribunal agreed, affirming that the FCCPC acted within its legal authority.
Meta has not yet issued a public response following Friday’s ruling.
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