The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has responded strongly to Meta Platforms Inc.’s suggestion that WhatsApp may exit Nigeria over regulatory actions, stating that such a move does not exempt the tech giant from liability for past infractions.
In a detailed statement released by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC condemned WhatsApp’s warning as a “calculated move” intended to provoke negative public sentiment and pressure the Commission into backtracking on its recent directives.
Meta Platforms and its subsidiary WhatsApp — jointly referred to as the “Meta Parties” — are currently under scrutiny for multiple violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
According to the FCCPC, these include:
- Denying Nigerian users control over their personal data
- Unauthorized transfer and sharing of user data
- Discriminatory treatment of Nigerian users compared to those in other regions
- Abuse of dominant market position through the enforcement of unfair privacy policies
“These are not mere allegations — they are the outcome of a thorough investigation. The Meta Parties repeatedly infringed on Nigerian laws and consumer rights,” the FCCPC stated.
The Commission pointed out that Meta has faced similar sanctions globally, including a $1.5 billion fine in Texas and another $1.3 billion penalty in the European Union for data privacy violations. Additionally, Meta has been sanctioned in India, South Korea, France, and Australia — yet, in none of those instances did the company threaten to exit the market.
“Meta obeyed those jurisdictions. In Nigeria, however, they resort to blackmail,” the FCCPC noted.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal recently affirmed a final order requiring Meta to bring its operations into compliance with Nigerian law.
The order mandates that Meta adjust its practices to respect Nigerian consumers’ rights, align with the FCCPA and NDPR, and ensure transparency and fairness in how user data is handled, consistent with global best practices.
The FCCPC emphasised that any attempt by Meta to leave Nigeria does not erase the outcomes of ongoing judicial processes or excuse prior breaches.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the FCCPC remains committed to consumer protection, data privacy, and fostering a fair digital marketplace in Nigeria,” Ijagwu concluded.
