Meta to appeal FG’s $220m fine over data privacy breach

Meta says it will appeal the $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for the violation of data privacy.

In a statement made available to TheCable on Saturday, a spokesperson from WhatsApp, said Meta disagrees with the decision made by FCCPC.

Meta is the the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

“In 2021, we went to users globally to explain how talking to businesses among other things would work and while there was a lot of confusion then, it has actually proven quite popular,” the spokesperson said.

“We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine and Meta will be appealing the decision.”

On July 19, the FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta for multiple data privacy violations.

In a statement signed by Adamu Abdullahi, its acting executive chairman, the commission said the penalty follows a joint investigation by the FCCPC, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta platforms’ conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months.

“The penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020,” the statement had said.

According to the FCCPC, Meta responded to document requests and summons by providing some information.

The had said said Meta’s representatives and retained legal counsel had consistently engaged with and met investigators and analysts from the commission and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4.

The commission said its investigation uncovered evidence of Meta engaging in practices that were abusive and invasive towards data consumers in Nigeria.