Nigeria’s consumer protection agency, FCCPC, has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc., the owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, for allegedly misusing the data of Nigerian users.
The fine follows an investigation into Meta’s operations from May 2021 to December 2023, during which the agency noted that Meta cooperated.
The FCCPC’s findings indicated that Meta engaged in abusive practices, implementing privacy policies that collected personal data without proper consent or the opportunity to opt out.
Meta has expressed disagreement with the decision and the fine, planning to appeal. A spokesperson stated that the central claims of the FCCPC are inaccurate, and despite initial confusion, user feedback on communication with businesses has been positive.
