google.com, pub-3998556743903564, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Meta Threatens Facebook And Instagram Shutdown In Nigeria Over Regulatory Dispute

Meta Threatens Facebook And Instagram Shutdown In Nigeria Over Regulatory Dispute

 By Heraldviews

Meta Platforms Inc., the U.S.-based technology company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has warned that it may shut down its social media services in Nigeria amid escalating tensions with regulatory authorities and mounting financial penalties.

The company’s warning came after a Nigerian federal high court in Abuja dismissed Meta’s legal challenge against fines exceeding $290 million imposed by three national oversight agencies.

In documents submitted to the court, Meta stated that it “may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.” The company, however, did not mention WhatsApp, its popular messaging service, in the filing.

Regulatory Fines and Alleged Violations

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria had imposed separate penalties on Meta in 2023, citing various legal breaches.

  • The FCCPC levied a $220 million fine for alleged anti-competitive conduct.
  • The Advertising Council imposed a $37.5 million fine for running unapproved advertisements.
  • The NDPC fined Meta $32.8 million, accusing it of breaching national data protection regulations.

FCCPC’s chief executive, Adamu Abdullahi, said the penalties followed joint investigations by the agencies between May 2021 and December 2023. He alleged that Meta’s platforms had engaged in “invasive practices” affecting Nigerian consumers but did not provide detailed examples.

Data Privacy Demands Called ‘Unrealistic’

In its court filing, Meta expressed particular concern with the NDPC’s interpretation of data privacy laws. The agency has demanded that Meta obtain prior approval before transferring users’ personal data outside Nigeria, a requirement the company has described as “unrealistic.”

Additionally, the NDPC instructed Meta to embed educational icons on its platforms linking to government-approved videos about data privacy risks. These videos must be created in collaboration with educational institutions and non-profit organizations and must explain the dangers of “manipulative and unfair data processing” that could lead to financial or health-related harm for Nigerian users.

Meta called the demands unfeasible, arguing that the NDPC had misapplied the country’s data protection laws.

Implications for Nigerian Users and Businesses

With tens of millions of Nigerians using Facebook daily, a potential shutdown could significantly disrupt online communication and digital commerce in the country. Facebook is widely used for social networking, news sharing, and by small businesses for marketing and customer engagement.

The federal high court has given Meta until the end of June to comply with the financial penalties. As of the time of publication, the company had not publicly announced its next course of action. Efforts to obtain comment from Meta by international media organizations, including the BBC, have not yet yielded a response.

Background

Meta has faced growing scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide over data handling, advertising transparency, and competition concerns. In recent years, several countries have introduced or updated data protection laws, often requiring multinational tech companies to localize user data or comply with specific regulatory frameworks.

Analysts warn that the standoff in Nigeria may set a precedent for future regulatory engagement between governments and global technology firms operating in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital markets.

 

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