FCCPC Warns Meta: Quitting Nigeria Won’t Free It From Legal Liabilities

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has responded firmly to Meta Platforms Inc.’s threat to leave Nigeria, emphasizing that such a move would not absolve the company of its legal responsibilities or liabilities under Nigerian law.

Meta’s warning, issued on May 3, stated that it might be forced to shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to avoid potential enforcement actions. This statement followed Meta’s recent loss in court, where it failed to overturn a ₦220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC for breaching data protection and consumer rights laws.

In a statement released on May 3, the FCCPC described Meta’s threat as a “calculated” attempt to provoke a negative public reaction and pressure the commission into revising its decision. The FCCPC made it clear that Meta’s potential exit from Nigeria would not relieve the company of its legal liabilities resulting from the ongoing judicial process.

The FCCPC highlighted that Meta had violated Nigerian laws by denying citizens control over their personal data, transferring user data without authorization, discriminating against Nigerian users, and abusing its dominant market position with unfair privacy policies.

The commission also pointed out that Meta has faced similar penalties in other countries, including a $1.5 billion fine in Texas and a $1.3 billion penalty for breaching EU data privacy rules. The FCCPC noted that in countries like India, South Korea, France, and Australia, Meta had complied with local regulations without threatening to exit.