Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fined WhatsApp a hefty $220 million, citing violations of its privacy policies and user data handling practices.
The commission’s three-year investigation concluded that WhatsApp, owned by Meta, imposed its updated privacy policy on users without offering adequate opt-out options.
The policy, implemented in May 2021, allegedly differed significantly between Nigerian and European users, with Nigerian users needing more privacy protection.
Key findings from the 116-page report include accusations that WhatsApp deleted previous privacy policies and misled users about their options, presenting a “my way or the highway” stance that the FCCPC deemed anti-competitive.
Contrary to previous policies, the update mandated data sharing with third parties and Meta for marketing and profiling purposes without requiring explicit user consent.
The FCCPC highlighted WhatsApp’s dominant market position in Nigeria, where 65% of internet users utilize the platform, underscoring concerns over its significant data collection practices compared to competitors like Signal and Telegram.
Nigerian data protection laws, aligned with European standards, were purportedly not uniformly applied by WhatsApp, failing to provide Nigerian users with comparable privacy rights and information disclosure as their European counterparts.
Meta has contested the fine, asserting that the regulator’s decision reflects a misunderstanding of its policies and practices. Nigerians, meanwhile, have expressed scepticism towards the fine, viewing it as potentially opportunistic.
Efforts to reach Meta for immediate comment were unsuccessful at reporting time.
