The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mark Zuckerberg, the chairman of Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, to pay the $220 million fine the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed on his company.
Apart from paying the fine, which the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld on Friday, SERAP also urged Zuckerberg and Meta to immediately pay the $35,000 the Tribunal awarded the FCCPC as the cost of the investigation.
The civil society organisation further asked Zuckerberg and Meta to provide justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation and guarantees of non-repetition for the victims of serious violations of Nigerian consumers’ data protection and privacy laws, and international human rights standards.
SERAP, in a letter dated 26 April 2025, signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, also demanded that Zuckerberg and Meta halt the violations identified by the Tribunal and prevent their recurrence, while ensuring accountability for responsible individuals.
SERAP noted that as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the social media platforms, Zuckerberg must ensure enhanced transparency, human rights due diligence, accountability, and remediation by Meta to protect Nigerians’ human rights.
It further expressed concern that the human rights violations identified by the Tribunal may still be ongoing and pose a high risk of recurrence unless adequately addressed.
SERAP further urged Zuckerberg and Meta not to prolong the suffering of victims by appealing the Tribunal’s judgement under Section 55 of the FCCP Act.
The CSO claimed that the Tribunal’s ruling highlighted clear and compelling evidence that Meta’s operations in Nigeria contradict international human rights standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
SERAP requested that the measures be taken within seven days of receipt and/or publication of the letter and that if it does not receive a response within these seven days, it will pursue all necessary legal actions at the national, regional, or international levels to compel compliance in the public interest.
“Our requests align with the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and other applicable international human rights standards binding on Meta,” SERAP noted.
The organisation further emphasised that Meta had violated the FCCP Act’s provisions, as confirmed by the Tribunal, and transgressed international human rights standards.
SERAP reminded Zuckerberg and Meta of their responsibility to “respect human rights as outlined by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.” This responsibility includes avoiding causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through their operations and adequately addressing such impacts when they occur.
“Meta should take steps to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts directly linked to its operations, products, or services.
“The companies must protect privacy rights and data security, ensuring compliance with international human rights law regarding data usage.
“Sections of the FCCP Act clarify that when consumer rights are violated, victims have the right to civil action for compensation or restitution. Under Section 154, victims of serious violations by Meta are entitled to fair compensation for their harm.
“Lastly, Section 54 of the FCCP Act establishes that ‘an order, ruling, award, or judgement of the Tribunal shall be binding on the parties [including Meta] before the Tribunal and registered with the Federal High Court for enforcement only.’”
