WhatsApp LLC has raised concerns that a recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal could disrupt its services in Nigeria. The Tribunal upheld the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) authority to sanction WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, over alleged anti-competitive practices.
In a statement to LEADERSHIP Sunday, WhatsApp stressed that its operations depend heavily on Meta’s infrastructure, both locally and globally.
“WhatsApp relies on limited data to operate and ensure user safety. It would be impossible to provide the service in Nigeria—or anywhere—without Meta’s infrastructure,” the company said. WhatsApp also criticized the FCCPC’s order, claiming it contains “multiple inaccuracies” and misrepresents the platform’s operations. The company added that it is urgently seeking a stay of the order and plans to appeal the Tribunal’s decision to prevent service disruptions.
