Meta Considers Shutting Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Over $300 Million in Fines
Social media giant Meta is considering halting its operations in Nigeria after being hit with nearly $300 million in fines by multiple regulatory bodies in the country.
The penalties stem from allegations of regulatory violations, including issues related to consumer protection, advertising compliance, and data privacy. Meta has described the fines as “unrealistic” and warned in court filings that it may be forced to suspend Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria if the demands are not reconsidered.
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) slammed the company with a $220 million fine over what it called discriminatory and exploitative practices. The commission cited Meta’s failure to hire a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and to submit a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Additionally, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) fined the tech company $37.5 million for running ads without approval, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) imposed a $32.8 million penalty for alleged privacy violations.
Meta challenged the rulings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but the court upheld all fines last week and ordered the company to pay by the end of June.
In its court submission, Meta stated: “The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.”
The NDPC has accused Meta’s data handling practices of putting Nigerian users at risk of potential health and financial harm. Meta, however, has argued that the agency misinterpreted the legal framework governing data privacy in Nigeria.
The dispute raises concerns about the future of Meta’s presence in one of Africa’s largest digital markets.
