Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, has announced its intention to appeal a hefty $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged data privacy violations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, a WhatsApp spokesperson expressed Meta’s disagreement with the FCCPC’s decision, emphasizing their global efforts in 2021 to clarify user interactions with businesses, which were initially met with confusion but have since gained popularity.
“We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine and Meta will be appealing the decision,” the spokesperson stated.
The FCCPC’s penalty, which followed a joint investigation with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), spans Meta’s conduct from May 2021 to December 2023, scrutinizing privacy policies and operational practices over 38 months.
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Adamu Abdullahi, acting executive chairman of the FCCPC, underscored that the fine aligns with regulations aimed at protecting consumer rights under the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020.
Despite Meta’s cooperation in providing information and engaging with investigators, the FCCPC concluded that Meta’s practices concerning data consumers in Nigeria were abusive and invasive.
Meta’s decision to appeal sets the stage for a potential legal battle as regulatory scrutiny over data privacy intensifies globally.
The appeal marks a pivotal moment for Meta, highlighting ongoing tensions between tech giants and regulatory bodies seeking to enforce stricter data protection standards amidst growing public concern over digital privacy.
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