WhatsApp’s threat to exit Nigeria is arm-twisting tactic -FCCPC

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said WhatsApp’s assertion that the it’s new order may force it to leave Nigeria is a calculated ploy to sway public opinion and possibly put pressure on the FCCPC to change its mind.

The FCCPC’s reaction follows reports that WhatsApp, owned by Meta was considering withdrawing it’s services from Nigeria after the regulatory authority imposed a whopping $220 million fine for alleged data breaches.

In a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday, the FCCPC, explained that it launched an investigation in response to allegations that Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (collectively, the “Meta Parties”) had violated the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).

The FCCPC added that to guarantee accountability for the alleged infringements and discourage such offenses in the future, it levied a $220 million financial penalty.

The FCCPC stated: “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 FCCPC’s 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.”