Monday, April 28, 2025 - Meta has announced its intention to appeal the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its data practices.
The penalty follows a 38-month investigation conducted by
the FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC),
which ran from 2021 to December 2023.
The investigation found evidence of unauthorised data
sharing, insufficient user consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices
that treated Nigerian consumers differently from those in other regions. In
July 2024, the FCCPC imposed the $220 million fine on Meta and WhatsApp, citing
violations of Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. Additionally,
the ruling mandated corrective actions to ensure that Meta’s business practices
comply with Nigerian regulations.
In a decision delivered on Friday, April 25, the tribunal
upheld the fine, reaffirming the FCCPC’s authority and investigative processes.
The tribunal also ordered Meta to pay an additional $35,000 to cover the costs
incurred during the investigation.
However, Meta expressed disagreement with the tribunal’s
ruling, stating in a statement on Saturday, April 26, that it would urgently
seek to appeal the decision and apply for a stay of execution. "We are
urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any
impact to users," WhatsApp said.
The company also contested the tribunal’s findings, claiming
that the ruling misrepresented how WhatsApp operates and contained inaccuracies
regarding its data practices.
0 Comments