Emmanuel Ochayi
Meta Faces Significant Penalty
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced a $220 million fine against Meta Platforms for violating consumer and data protection laws.
The penalty follows a 38-month investigation into Meta’s practices on its social platforms.
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FCCPC Chief, Adamu Abdullahi stated, “Meta appropriated the data of Nigerian users without their consent and abused its market dominance.”
The investigation revealed that Meta’s policies did not allow users to control or withhold consent for data collection and sharing.
This led to discriminatory treatment of Nigerian users compared to other regions with similar regulations.
“Meta has repeatedly engaged in invasive practices against data subjects in Nigeria,” Abdullahi continued. “The Commission is satisfied with the significant evidence and has provided Meta every opportunity to defend their conduct.”
Meta’s Response and Compliance Mandate
Meta has not yet commented on the fine. However, the FCCPC noted that the company had provided some documents and retained counsels who engaged with the agency.
The final order mandates steps Meta must take to comply with local laws.
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Global Pushback on Meta
This is not an isolated incident for Meta. In May, Turkey’s competition board fined Meta 1.2 billion lira for similar data-sharing practices on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
Meta has also faced scrutiny in Europe over its data protection practices, particularly regarding plans to use personal data for training AI models without user consent.
Further Investigations In South Africa
Meanwhile, South Africa’s competition watchdog plans to investigate whether digital platforms like Meta unfairly compete with news publishers by using their content to generate ad revenue.
This highlights ongoing global concerns about Meta’s data practices and market behavior.
Meta’s Challenges with Data Regulations
The ongoing issues with Meta’s data practices and the significant fines imposed by various countries underscore the challenges the company faces in complying with global data protection laws.
The FCCPC’s actions reflect a broader trend of increasing regulatory scrutiny on tech giants to ensure consumer data protection and fair market practices.
Investigations and Fines Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Meta’s challenges are not confined to Nigeria. The company faces pushback in Europe, where its plan to use personal data for AI training without consent has sparked controversy.
Additionally, Turkey’s significant fine against Meta indicates a growing global trend of holding tech companies accountable for their data practices.
“These fines and investigations highlight the need for Meta to reevaluate its data privacy policies globally,” said a data privacy expert. “Compliance with local laws is essential for maintaining user trust and avoiding substantial penalties.”
Future Implications for Meta
The penalties and ongoing investigations could have significant implications for Meta’s operations worldwide.
The company may need to implement more robust data privacy measures and ensure compliance with various regional regulations to avoid further fines and maintain its user base.
