$220m: FG reacts to WhatsApp’s exit threat

$220m: FG reacts to WhatsApp’s exit threat

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has reacted to WhatsApp’s exit threat, after it imposed a fine of $220m on WhatsApp over an alleged violation of its act.

WhatsApp through its spokesperson has stated that the messaging platform could exit Nigeria over FCCPC demands and a $220m fine.

Reacting to the WhatsApp pronouncement, the FCCPC in a statement on Thursday evening stated that the WhatsApp exit threat was an attempt to convince public opinion, emphasising that WhatsApp violated Nigerians’ right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.

The statement reads, “WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision. The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

“The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA and the NDPR. These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.

The final order requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights.

“The final order requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights. To deter future violations and ensure accountability for the alleged infringements the FCCPC also imposed a monetary penalty of $220 million.”

The FCCPC however, stated that their actions are based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria.

“Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different,” the statement added.