The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has responded firmly to Meta’s threat to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria, declaring that no tech giant is above the country’s laws.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, on Saturday hinted at a possible suspension of its services in Nigeria following its failed legal attempt to overturn a $220 million fine levied by the FCCPC over alleged violations of consumer rights and data privacy laws.
In a swift rebuttal, the FCCPC described Meta’s exit threat as a “calculated attempt to stir public sentiment” and undermine lawful regulatory action.
“Threatening to leave Nigeria does not erase Meta’s legal liabilities or absolve it from the consequences of judicial processes,” the Commission stated.
According to the FCCPC, investigations uncovered multiple breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), including the unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian users’ data, discriminatory treatment of Nigerian users, and the imposition of unfair privacy policies.
“Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements,” the Commission noted, adding that Nigerians were denied control over their data, while Meta allegedly exploited its dominant market position.
Drawing comparisons with other countries, the FCCPC pointed out that Meta had faced far more substantial fines globally — $1.5 billion in Texas and $1.3 billion in the EU — without threatening to exit those markets. “They obeyed. But in Nigeria, they resort to blackmail,” the statement read.
With tensions escalating, many Nigerians are anxious about the fate of their access to Meta’s services, which are vital for communication, commerce, and daily life. However, the FCCPC insists that it will not be swayed by intimidation and remains committed to protecting Nigerian consumers and upholding the law.
