In Nigeria, the local regulator fined Meta.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) said that the mentioned technology giant violated the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR), and other relevant laws. More specific wording stipulates that WhatsApp’s privacy policy does not comply with Nigeria’s data protection and privacy laws.
The FCCPC press release notes that the violations include abuse and invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in the mentioned country. In this case, it means the appropriation of personal information without consent. The regulator’s claims are also related to disparate practices against Nigerian consumers compared to other jurisdictions with a similar regulatory framework. Moreover, FCCPC stated that Meta is abusing its dominant position in the market.
The fine amounted to $220 million. A WhatsApp spokesperson provided media representatives with a statement noting that in 2021, the company reached out to users around the world to explain how, among other things, the process of communicating with businesses will take place. Also, WhatsApp’s spokesperson ascertained disagreement with the decision of the Nigerian regulator on the fine. The Company intends to appeal against this measure of financial impact.
It is worth noting that last week Meta informed the media about the suspension of the process of using its artificial intelligence tools in Brazil. The technology giant made the appropriate decision after one of the regulators of the mentioned country objected to part of the company’s privacy policy.
As we have reported earlier, Meta Faces EU Charges Over ‘Pay or Consent’ Policy.
Serhii Mikhailov
Serhii’s track record of study and work spans six years at the Faculty of Philology and eight years in the media, during which he has developed a deep understanding of various aspects of the industry and honed his writing skills; his areas of expertise include fintech, payments, cryptocurrency, and financial services, and he is constantly keeping a close eye on the latest developments and innovations in these fields, as he believes that they will have a significant impact on the future direction of the economy as a whole.
