FCCPC dismisses WhatsApp’s exit threat after $220m fine, accuses Meta of pressuring tactics
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed WhatsApp’s threat to exit Nigeria following a $220 million fine as a deliberate attempt to sway public opinion and pressure the commission to reverse its decision.
In a statement, Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, said, “WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.”
The commission found Meta Platforms, WhatsApp’s parent company, guilty of multiple violations of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
These breaches included unauthorized data sharing, discrimination against Nigerian users, and abuse of market dominance through unfair privacy policies.
The FCCPC underlined that similar penalties have been imposed on Meta in other countries without prompting exit threats.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing Nigerian law and protecting consumer rights, stating, “Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.”
The commission’s final order compels Meta to comply with Nigerian regulations and cease exploitative practices, marking a significant step toward a fairer digital market in Nigeria.
