The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld the fine of $220 million leveled against Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
Delivering judgment, a three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice Thomas Okosun, held that the Commission discharged its mandate within the ambit of the law after discovering that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The Tribunal also held that the FCCPC did not err in making the findings of violation as they were correctly identified and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as the cost of the investigation.
Reacting, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, lauded the judgment of the tribunal and reiterated the commission’s commitment to championing the rights of consumers as well as ensuring fair business practices in the country under FCCPA (2018).
The FCCPC on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
A statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, explains that the case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.
Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal to challenge both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.
The Commission said it started an investigation into the alleged unethical practice by Meta in 2020.
