- WhatsApp could leave Nigeria over the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) orders and a $220 million fine, according to TechCabal.
- Citing people familiar with the matter, the sources asserted that Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, is considering "withdrawing certain services" in Nigeria.
- A spokesperson told TechCabal that complying with the order would make it technically impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria, or even globally.
“This order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works. WhatsApp relies on limited data to run our service and keep users safe, and it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure. We are urgently appealing the order to avoid any impact on users,” the spokesperson said.
In July, the FCCPC imposed a $220 million (over ₦300 billion) fine on Meta over alleged abuse of Nigerian users' data. The commission claimed that Meta used its market power to enforce exploitative privacy policies and collect users' data without proper consent.
It ordered WhatsApp to cease sharing user data with other Meta companies and third parties without approval or consent. Additionally, WhatsApp must provide information about data collection and restore user control over data usage.
The decision followed a three-year investigation into Meta’s conduct and operations between May 2021 and December 2023.
Meta disputed the FCCPC’s claims, disagreed with the judgment and the fine, and proceeded to appeal. In its appeal, Meta presented 22 arguments for a review, asserting that the FCCPC’s fine is unjustified and citing procedural errors in the investigation and legally unsound requests.
WhatsApp claimed that the FCCPC’s directive on data use is vague and lacks a solid legal basis. The company stated that it had updated its privacy policy to give Nigerian users greater control and suggested an opt-out option instead of the FCCPC’s demands.
Meta has argued against the FCCPC’s instructions to stop sharing user information, claiming it cannot revert to its 2016 data-sharing policy. The company contends that it has not threatened Nigerian users and that there is confusion surrounding the data transfer to Facebook.
WhatsApp, used by over 50 million people in Nigeria, including individuals and small businesses, plays a crucial role in communication and commerce. A potential suspension of WhatsApp in Nigeria could severely impact business operations.
Read: 3 reasons why WhatsApp will not leave Nigeria
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.
