By Milcah Tanimu
Recent speculations about WhatsApp possibly suspending its operations in Nigeria have sparked a response from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The FCCPC has characterized these reports as a strategic maneuver by the tech giant to sway public opinion amid an ongoing dispute over regulatory compliance.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is facing a hefty $220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC. This fine is a result of alleged violations concerning data privacy and consumer protection laws. The commission accuses WhatsApp of exploiting Nigerian users’ data without proper consent, violating both the FCCPC Act 2018 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR).
The FCCPC has demanded that WhatsApp cease sharing Nigerian user data with other Meta companies and third parties without explicit authorization. This penalty follows a three-year investigation into the company’s practices.
In response to these claims, WhatsApp has denied the allegations, describing the FCCPC’s accusations as inaccurate. The company stated that it relies on minimal data to operate and maintain user safety, and any claims to the contrary misrepresent their data handling practices. WhatsApp has announced its intention to appeal the decision to prevent any potential impact on Nigerian users.
The FCCPC, however, stands firm on its position. In a statement, the commission emphasized that the $220 million fine is intended to prevent future violations and ensure compliance with Nigerian laws. The FCCPC asserts that similar penalties in other jurisdictions have not led to companies threatening to exit those markets.
Tunde Irukera, the former Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, dismissed WhatsApp’s threat to leave Nigeria as mere “rhetoric.” He criticized the company’s attempt to use such threats to avoid regulatory scrutiny, suggesting it reflects poorly on the company’s governance and compliance culture.
Irukera urged Nigerians not to be swayed by these threats and to focus on whether WhatsApp’s practices were indeed in violation of the law. He also questioned why the company does not make similar threats in response to regulatory actions in other countries where Meta faces penalties.
