Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been hit with a hefty fine of $220 million by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The watchdog alleges that Meta violated local consumer protection and data privacy laws, according to a Reuters report.
The FCCPC order mandates Meta to pay the fine within 60 days.
FCCPC chief Adamu Abdullahi said the investigations were jointly held with Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission and spanned over 38 months.
The investigations found Meta policies don’t allow users the option or opportunity to self-determine or withhold consent to the gathering, use, and sharing of personal data, Abdullahi said.
Meta has yet to comment on the fine. However, the FCCPC states that the company has provided some documents related to the case and has appointed legal counsel to engage with the commission.
