Meta has announced plans to appeal the $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for violating data privacy regulations.
In a statement released on Saturday, a WhatsApp spokesperson expressed Meta’s disagreement with the FCCPC’s decision. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, emphasized their stance.
“In 2021, we informed users globally about how communication with businesses would work, among other things. Although there was some confusion initially, it has since become quite popular,” the spokesperson stated. “We disagree with today’s decision and the fine imposed, and Meta will be appealing the ruling.”
On July 19, the FCCPC fined Meta $220 million for multiple data privacy violations. According to a statement by Adamu Abdullahi, the acting executive chairman, the penalty resulted from a joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta’s practices and privacy policies from May 2021 to December 2023.
“The penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020,” the statement read.
The FCCPC noted that Meta had responded to document requests and summons by providing some information. Meta’s representatives and legal counsel had consistently engaged with the commission and NDPC investigators and analysts, including as recently as April 4.
The commission’s investigation revealed evidence of Meta engaging in practices that were deemed abusive and invasive towards data consumers in Nigeria.
