Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has warned that it may be forced to shut down its popular social media services in Nigeria due to heavy fines and what it calls "unrealistic" regulations from Nigerian authorities. Over the past year, three government agencies collectively fined the company more than $290 million for various legal violations.
In a recent court filing, Meta stated that it might have to cut its services to avoid further enforcement actions. Many Nigerians depend on Facebook for daily interactions and as a critical platform for their small businesses. The high court has mandated that Meta settle the fines by the end of June.
Last year, Meta faced significant penalties, including $220 million for alleged anti-competitive practices, $37.5 million for unapproved advertising, and $32.8 million for breaches of data privacy laws. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) criticized the company for invasive practices during investigations carried out over the past two years.
Meta's main concern lies with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which it claims is misinterpreting data privacy laws. The NDPC has imposed a requirement on the company to obtain prior consent before transferring user data outside Nigeria, which Meta has labeled as impractical. Furthermore, the NDPC has requested educational resources about data privacy risks, but Meta argues these demands are unreasonable and unattainable.
In a recent court filing, Meta stated that it might have to cut its services to avoid further enforcement actions. Many Nigerians depend on Facebook for daily interactions and as a critical platform for their small businesses. The high court has mandated that Meta settle the fines by the end of June.
Last year, Meta faced significant penalties, including $220 million for alleged anti-competitive practices, $37.5 million for unapproved advertising, and $32.8 million for breaches of data privacy laws. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) criticized the company for invasive practices during investigations carried out over the past two years.
Meta's main concern lies with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which it claims is misinterpreting data privacy laws. The NDPC has imposed a requirement on the company to obtain prior consent before transferring user data outside Nigeria, which Meta has labeled as impractical. Furthermore, the NDPC has requested educational resources about data privacy risks, but Meta argues these demands are unreasonable and unattainable.
