• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Friday, July 4, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

$220m Fine: Judgement Will Affect Our Services In Nigeria – WhatsApp

To appeal verdict over alleged inaccuracies

by Royal Ibeh
2 months ago
in Cover Stories, News
WhatsApp
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

WhatsApp LLC has said the judgment delivered by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which affirmed the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to penalise the platform and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, for anti-competitive practices, would affect its operations in Nigeria.

Advertisement

WhatsApp, in a statement sent to LEADERSHIP Sunday yesterday, said the platform’s ability to operate both in Nigeria and globally is inseparable from the infrastructure provided by Meta.

“WhatsApp relies on limited data to run our service and keep users safe, and it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria, or globally, without the infrastructure of our parent company, Meta. The FCCPC order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works, and we are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users,” it said.

Recall that the tribunal, led by Hon. Thomas Okosun, delivered a landmark judgment affirming the FCCPC’s authority and actions on nearly all the contested issues raised by Meta and WhatsApp. The tribunal upheld the commission’s final order issued on July 19, 2024, and awarded a $220 million administrative penalty against the tech giants, in addition to $35,000 in investigative costs.

The case stems from a sweeping 38-month joint investigation launched by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta and WhatsApp’s conduct, privacy practices and consumer data policies, which began in 2020.

RELATED

JUST-IN: Court Orders Immediate Recall Of Suspended Senator Natasha

JUST-IN: Court Orders Immediate Recall Of Suspended Senator Natasha

15 minutes ago
JUST-IN: Court Finds Senator Natasha Guilty Of Contempt Over Facebook Post

JUST-IN: Court Finds Senator Natasha Guilty Of Contempt Over Facebook Post

28 minutes ago

Dissatisfied with the FCCPC’s findings and penalty, Meta and WhatsApp filed an appeal challenging the commission’s legal authority, its investigative methods and the conclusions it reached.

However, the tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing Meta and WhatsApp’s objections. It ruled that the commission acted within the limits of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), and that it had accorded the companies ample opportunity for fair hearing, contrary to their claims.

One of the key points of contention – whether the FCCPC had the power to regulate matters touching on data privacy – was decided in favour of the commission.

The tribunal emphasised that the FCCPC’s broad mandate includes overseeing consumer protection even within regulated sectors like data privacy, reaffirming the commission’s powers under Section 104 of the FCCPA.

The tribunal also found no fault with the FCCPC’s conclusion that Meta’s privacy policy breached Nigerian laws. Nevertheless, it struck out Order 7 of the FCCPC’s final order, noting that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

In his reaction, the executive vice chairman/CEO of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, hailed the judgment as a milestone in Nigeria’s regulatory evolution. He commended the commission’s legal team for their forensic skill and diligence and reiterated the FCCPC’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and promoting fair business practices in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

WhatsApp’s decision to challenge the ruling signals a drawn-out legal battle ahead, one that could test the balance between Nigeria’s regulatory power and the operational frameworks of global technology giants.

Despite the tribunal’s judgment, WhatsApp emphasised its commitment to remaining in Nigeria and serving its millions of users. However, it warned that complying with the FCCPC’s current order, without reliance on Meta’s infrastructure, could severely disrupt its services in the country.

The coming months are likely to be critical as both sides prepare for the next phase of the legal confrontation.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars from the comfort of their homes with Ultra-Premium domains, acquire them for as low as $1700 and profit as much as $25,000. Click here to learn how you can earn US Dollars consistently.


Tags: WhatsApp
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Bandits Attack Sokoto Village, Kill 3

Next Post

Renewed Attacks: We Lost 489 Members In 1 Month – Benue Leaders, Survivors

Royal Ibeh

Royal Ibeh

You May Like

JUST-IN: Court Orders Immediate Recall Of Suspended Senator Natasha
Cover Stories

JUST-IN: Court Orders Immediate Recall Of Suspended Senator Natasha

2025/07/04
JUST-IN: Court Finds Senator Natasha Guilty Of Contempt Over Facebook Post
News

JUST-IN: Court Finds Senator Natasha Guilty Of Contempt Over Facebook Post

2025/07/04
Lakurawa: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Charges Federal Gov’t To Crush New Terror Group 
News

2027: Ohanaeze Interested In Welfare Of Citizens, Not Partisan Politics — Spokesman

2025/07/04
Federal Gov’t Retrofits Dual-fuel Engines On Locomotives To Cut Costs, Carbon Emission
News

Federal Gov’t, Kaduna Collaborate On Light Rail Project

2025/07/04
US Vetoes Call For ‘Immediate Ceasefire’ In Gaza
News

Nigerian Indicted Over $14.6bn Healthcare Fraud In US

2025/07/04
PICTORIAL: OPSH Troops Neutralise 1 Bandit, Arrest Gunrunner, Recover Weapons In Plateau
News

PICTORIAL: OPSH Troops Neutralise 1 Bandit, Arrest Gunrunner, Recover Weapons In Plateau

2025/07/04
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

JUST-IN: Court Orders Immediate Recall Of Suspended Senator Natasha

JUST-IN: Court Finds Senator Natasha Guilty Of Contempt Over Facebook Post

2027: Ohanaeze Interested In Welfare Of Citizens, Not Partisan Politics — Spokesman

Football Star Diogo Jota, Brother For Burial Saturday

Federal Gov’t, Kaduna Collaborate On Light Rail Project

20 Injured As Gas Explosion Rocks Rome

Nigerian Indicted Over $14.6bn Healthcare Fraud In US

PICTORIAL: OPSH Troops Neutralise 1 Bandit, Arrest Gunrunner, Recover Weapons In Plateau

Miley Cyrus’s Video Of ‘Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved’ Features Supermodel Naomi

Korean Staged Cinema Production Raises Question Of How We Treat Elderly In Our Societies

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.