The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC) has imposed a $220,000,000 penalty against Meta Platforms Incorporated over alleged discriminatory practices against Nigerian data and consumers, Nairametrics is reporting.
According to Nairametrics, this was disclosed on Friday in a statement signed by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC. The penalty follows a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta platforms’ conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months.
According to the statement, on May 2021, the Commission had directed WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) to defend themselves regarding its investigative report which detailed how their conduct allegedly violated relevant data laws. Meta was said to have provided some information in response to the 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,” the statement added.
