In brief
Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the possibility of shutting down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria if the company cannot meet stringent regulatory demands and face steep fines imposed by local authorities. In total, fines exceeding $290 million were levied against Meta by three Nigerian regulatory agencies for non-compliance with various laws. After an unsuccessful appeal in the federal high court, Meta warned that it may have to cease operations in Nigeria to avoid possible enforcement actions.
Last year, a significant fine of $220 million was handed down by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged anti-competitive behavior. Additionally, the advertising regulator imposed a $37.5 million penalty for unauthorized advertising practices, and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) fined Meta $32.8 million for breaches of data privacy regulations. The NDPC has demanded that Meta seek prior approval before transferring personal data outside Nigeria, which the company described as "unrealistic." Other regulatory requirements include creating educational videos about data privacy risks in partnership with approved institutions, which Meta claims are difficult to fulfill. The high court has set a deadline for Meta to settle the fines by the end of June, and with Facebook being a crucial communication and business tool in Nigeria, the potential shutdown could significantly impact millions of users across the country.
