FG has fined Meta $220 million for data privacy breaches, citing unauthorized data transfers and discriminatory practices.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, over alleged data privacy breaches.
In a press release dated Friday, July 19, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) announced that the fine aligns with the provisions of the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).
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Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, stated that the commission found Meta guilty of infringing upon the rights of Nigerian data subjects. Meta allegedly denied users the ability to self-determine the unauthorized transfer and sharing of their data and violated cross-border storage regulations.
Meta was also found guilty of engaging in discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and violations of tying and bundling.
“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause, issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook Inc.),” the FCCPC stated.
The FCCPC’s report found that Meta violated provisions of the FCCPA and the NDPR (which was in force before the enactment of the NDPA, 2023). The commission has given Meta an opportunity to show reasonable cause why the imposed orders should not be enforced.
“Between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months, a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Parties conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and Meta Parties practices have evolved.
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“Meta Parties have provided some information/evidence that is in part responsive to document requests and summons under the joint investigation.
“Meta Parties by themselves, and retained counsels have also repeatedly engaged with, and met with investigators and analysts from the Commission, and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.
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