Meta has announced plans to appeal the ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which upheld a $220 million fine issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its data practices.
The fine followed a 38-month investigation led by the FCCPC in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), running from 2021 through December 2023. The investigation found unauthorised data sharing, inadequate user consent processes, and discriminatory treatment of Nigerian consumers compared to users in other regions. In July 2024, the FCCPC fined Meta and WhatsApp $220 million, citing violations of Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. The ruling also ordered Meta to implement corrective measures to ensure compliance with Nigerian regulations.
In a decision delivered on Friday, April 25, the tribunal upheld the fine and reaffirmed the FCCPC’s authority and investigative processes. It also directed Meta to pay an additional $35,000 to cover investigation costs.
Meta, however, voiced its disagreement with the ruling. In a statement released on Saturday, April 26, the company said it would urgently seek to appeal the decision and apply for a stay of execution. “We are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users,” WhatsApp said.
Meta also disputed the tribunal’s findings, arguing that the ruling misrepresented WhatsApp’s operations and contained inaccuracies regarding its data practices.
