Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to halt its services in Nigeria unless it can resolve substantial fines imposed by local authorities, potentially affecting millions of users.
Meta Considers Shutting Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Amid Regulatory Fines
Meta Considers Shutting Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Amid Regulatory Fines
Meta issues warning over potential closure of its services in Nigeria due to hefty fines and regulatory demands.
In a fresh showdown with Nigerian regulators, Meta has indicated that it might cease operations of Facebook and Instagram if it cannot meet significant penalties totaling over $290 million. The fines stem from alleged violations of several regulatory practices by Nigerian authorities, including issues related to data privacy and advertising approvals.
Despite a recent court attempt to challenge the fines, Meta's plea was unsuccessful, leading to warnings that it may pause services in Nigeria as a way to mitigate risk. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), along with advertising and data protection regulators, issued fines of $220 million, $37.5 million, and $32.8 million respectively. Meta's services play a crucial role in the daily communications and operational needs of millions of Nigerians, particularly small businesses.
In court documents, Meta argued that its primary concern is the data protection demands made by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which it claims are unreasonable. The NDPC requires Meta to obtain prior approval before transferring user data outside Nigeria and to create educational content addressing data privacy risks in partnership with approved entities. Meta labeled these requirements as impractical, claiming they result from misinterpretations of data privacy laws.
As users await an official response from Meta detailing its next steps, the potential shutdown of Facebook and Instagram looms as a significant concern for the millions of users reliant on these platforms.
Despite a recent court attempt to challenge the fines, Meta's plea was unsuccessful, leading to warnings that it may pause services in Nigeria as a way to mitigate risk. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), along with advertising and data protection regulators, issued fines of $220 million, $37.5 million, and $32.8 million respectively. Meta's services play a crucial role in the daily communications and operational needs of millions of Nigerians, particularly small businesses.
In court documents, Meta argued that its primary concern is the data protection demands made by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which it claims are unreasonable. The NDPC requires Meta to obtain prior approval before transferring user data outside Nigeria and to create educational content addressing data privacy risks in partnership with approved entities. Meta labeled these requirements as impractical, claiming they result from misinterpretations of data privacy laws.
As users await an official response from Meta detailing its next steps, the potential shutdown of Facebook and Instagram looms as a significant concern for the millions of users reliant on these platforms.
