Nigerian government slaps Meta with $220m fine for violating consumer data laws

The Nigerian government has imposed a hefty fine of $220 million for its blatant disregard of consumer and data protection laws. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) revealed that Meta’s data-sharing practices on its Facebook and WhatsApp platforms not only violated local laws but also compromised the privacy and rights of Nigerian users.

Under investigation, it was discovered that Meta had unlawfully appropriated the personal data of Nigerian users without their consent, abused its dominant market position, and discriminated against Nigerians compared to other jurisdictions with similar regulations. Despite the severity of the charges, Meta has yet to issue an official comment on the matter.

This is not the first time Meta has faced consequences for its privacy violations. Earlier this year, the European Union privacy regulator fined the tech giant over $400 million for coercing users into accepting personalized ads based on their online activities. The EU’s ruling highlighted Meta’s repeated breaches of the strict data privacy rules, resulting in cumulative fines exceeding 900 million euros since 2021.

The latest penalties stem from complaints filed in May 2018, when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect across the EU’s member states. Previously, Meta relied on users’ informed consent to process their personal data for targeted advertising. However, when GDPR was enacted, the company altered its terms of service, forcing users to consent to the use of their data, a direct violation of EU privacy laws.

The Nigerian government’s bold move to penalize Meta serves as a stern warning to tech giants that flouting consumer and data protection laws will not go unpunished.