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FCCPC Rejects Meta’s Exit Threat, Says Legal Liabilities Subsist Under Nigerian Law
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has responded firmly to Meta Platforms Inc., stating that the tech giant’s threat to shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria does not exempt it from its legal obligations under Nigerian law.
Meta had earlier warned that it might be compelled to cease operations in Nigeria to avoid potential enforcement actions. This followed its failed attempt last week to overturn a ₦220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC for breaches of data protection and consumer rights laws.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the FCCPC dismissed Meta’s warning as a “calculated tactic” intended to provoke public backlash and pressure the commission into reversing its decision. The agency emphasized that Meta’s exit threat does not nullify its legal liabilities, which remain subject to judicial review.
The FCCPC further disclosed that Meta had repeatedly violated Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Among the infringements were unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data, denying users control over their personal information, discriminatory practices against Nigerian users compared to other regions, and imposing unfair privacy policies by leveraging its dominant market position.
The commission noted that Meta has faced similar penalties in other countries, including a $1.5 billion fine in Texas and a $1.3 billion penalty for violating EU data privacy rules. Unlike in Nigeria, Meta complied with regulatory decisions in jurisdictions such as India, South Korea, France, and Australia without resorting to threats of withdrawal.
The FCCPC’s statement reinforces Nigeria’s stance on holding global tech firms accountable for compliance with local laws, regardless of their market influence.
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