Remember Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta $220 million in 2024?
Exactly, the penalty was upheld by the FCCPC Today, April 25, 2025, after a detailed investigation into Meta’s activities in the country according to Tech Point Africa.
Driving the News
The FCCPC, working alongside the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), found that Meta had violated the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018.
According to the FCCPC, Meta was found guilty of multiple violations. These include unauthorised sharing of Nigerian users’ data, failure to implement proper consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices that put Nigerian users at a disadvantage compared to other regions.
The findings stemmed from a 38-month investigation that started in May 2021 to December 2023.
Meta Appealed
Meta appealed the ruling, claiming the fine was disproportionate. The company also argued that the FCCPC lacked jurisdiction and that its orders were technically unfeasible.
However, the tribunal rejected Meta’s appeal. It affirmed that the FCCPC acted within its legal authority and that Meta had sufficient opportunity to present its case during the investigation.
What’s Expected of Meta
The ruling requires Meta and WhatsApp to immediately stop all unauthorised sharing of Nigerian users’ data with third parties, including Facebook.
The companies are also mandated to restore consent options for users and revert to their 2016 data-sharing policy.
In addition, Meta must submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and NDPC by July 1, 2025. It is also required to pay the FCCPC $35,000 to cover the cost of the investigation.
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