The Nigerian government on Friday, accused Meta for violating consumer data law, after investigation.
It was gathered that the Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) said Meta appropriated the data of Nigerian users on its platforms without their consent, abused its market dominance by forcing exploitative privacy policies on users, and meted out discriminatory and disparate treatment on Nigerians, compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulations.
Meta did not immediately comment, but the FCCPC said in a statement that the company had provided some documents and had retained counsels who have met and engaged with the agency.
FCCPC chief Adamu Abdullahi said the investigations were jointly held with Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission and spanned over 38 months.
According to him, the investigations found Meta policies don’t allow users the option or opportunity to self-determine or withhold consent to the gathering, use, and sharing of personal data.
“The totality of the investigation has concluded that Meta over the protracted period of time has engaged in conduct that constituted multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements… particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects in Nigeria.
“Being satisfied with the significant evidence on the record, and that Meta has been provided every opportunity to articulate any position, representations, refutations, explanations or defences of their conduct, the Commission has now entered a final order and issued a penalty against Meta,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the final order mandates steps and actions Meta must take to comply with local laws.
