Concerns are mounting that Nigerians could lose access to Facebook and Instagram following escalating tensions between Meta, the platforms’ parent company, and Nigerian authorities, according to a BBC report.
Meta is currently entangled in a legal battle with three Nigerian regulatory bodies, which collectively fined the tech giant over $290 million (£218 million) last year for alleged breaches of various laws and regulations. Meta attempted to contest the fines in the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful. The court has now ordered the company to settle the fines by the end of June.
ALSO READ: Reps summon Benue, Zamfara govs over insecurity
In court filings, Meta cautioned that it may be compelled to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to avoid enforcement actions. Although Meta also owns WhatsApp, the company did not reference the messaging platform in its statement about the issue.
Facebook, the most widely used social media platform in Nigeria, is integral to daily communication, news dissemination, and small business operations for tens of millions of users. Losing access to the platform could have far-reaching social and economic consequences.
The fines levied against Meta arise from three major allegations:
- The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) charged Meta $32.8 million for breaching data privacy regulations.
- The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine over alleged anti-competitive behavior.
- The Nigerian advertising regulator fined the company $37.5 million for running unapproved advertisements.
In its legal filings, Meta voiced particular concern over the demands made by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), especially the requirement to obtain prior approval before transferring personal data out of Nigeria. The company described this condition as “unrealistic,” alongside other regulatory expectations, such as producing educational videos on data privacy risks in partnership with government-approved institutions.
- FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Get the most important news on your social media feed
- FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: Get the most important news on your social media feed
- FOLLOW US ON X: Get the most important news on your social media feed
Meta contends that the NDPC has misinterpreted the country’s data protection laws, arguing that the imposed requirements are impractical and could significantly disrupt its operations.
READ MORE: DIASPORA LENS
