Nigerians may soon lose access to Facebook and Instagram as parent company Meta considers withdrawing services over mounting regulatory pressures. Court documents reveal the social media giant faces over $290 million in fines from three Nigerian agencies and describes compliance demands as “unrealistic.”
The standoff stems from July 2023 penalties imposed by:
- The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ($220M for anti-competitive practices)
- The advertising regulator ($37.5M for unapproved ads)
- The Nigerian Data Protection Commission ($32.8M for alleged privacy violations)
Meta’s court filings argue the data commission misinterpreted privacy laws by demanding:
1) Prior approval for international data transfers
2) Educational video collaborations with government-approved institutions
3) Warnings about “manipulative data processing” risks
“These conditions make continued operations unsustainable,” Meta stated, noting it may preemptively suspend services before the June 30 payment deadline. The company did not mention WhatsApp in its withdrawal threat.
With over 40 million Nigerian users relying on Facebook for communication and commerce, a shutdown could disrupt digital ecosystems nationwide. Small businesses particularly fear collateral damage, as many depend on Instagram stores and Facebook Marketplace.
Regulators maintain their actions protect citizens from exploitative data practices. FCCPC CEO Adamu Abdullahi cited “invasive consumer data violations” found during a 2021-2023 investigation, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Legal analysts suggest both sides may seek last-minute negotiations to avoid what would become Africa’s largest social media blackout since Uganda’s 2021 Facebook ban. Meta has not clarified next steps, while Nigerian authorities appear resolved to enforce compliance.
