Meta Platforms Inc. warned that it can stop operating on Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria, citing the growing regulatory fines and what calls “unrealistic” laws and advertising laws.
The technological giant, which also has WhatsApp, issued the threat on Thursday after losing a legal challenge in the Superior Court of Abuja.
The case sought to cancel more than $ 290 million in fines collected by the Nigerian regulatory agencies.
In 2024, three government agencies, the Federal Commission for Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC), the Nigeria Advertising Regulatory Council (Arcon) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), imposed separate sanctions on the target by violations of national laws.
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The FCCPC imposed the largest fine of $ 220 million, accusing the anti -competitive behavior company that allegedly interrupted local digital markets and pledged fair commercial practices committed.
Arcon continued with a fine of $ 37.5 million to issue ads without the required approvals, stating that Meta published ads that did not comply with national advertising standards.
In addition, the NDPC raised a fine of $ 32.8 million, citing “persistent violations” of Nigeria's data protection rules, particularly the unauthorized transfer of citizens' personal data abroad.
“The investigations carried out from May 2021 to December 2023 discovered invasive practices discovered against data subjects in Nigeria,” said Adamu Abdullahi, executive director of the FCCPC.
In the Court, Meta argued that the country's data protection laws were being poorly applied by regulators, particularly in relation to cross -border data transfers and user consent policies.
“We are committed to respecting local laws, but the requirements of the NDPC to request the prior approval of data transfers are not aligned with global data flow practices,” said the company's legal representative in judicial presentations.
The NDPC also ordered the goal to collaborate with institutions approved to produce and disseminate educational content for Nigerian users about the dangers of misuse of data.
According to the Commission, the content must clearly explain the “manipulative and unfair data processing” and its effects on financial well -being and user health.
Goal criticized the order as excessive and little practical, arguing that it had not imposed on other international technological companies operating in Nigeria.
Although the Court ruled against goal, the company's statement did not mention WhatsApp, which increases uncertainty about whether the messaging application will be affected by any possible closure.
Facebook remains the most used social media platform in Nigeria, which serves tens of millions of users for communication, content exchange and promotion of small businesses.
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