Revenue Loss: Federal Govt Sues Zuckerberg’s Meta, Seeks N30bn Compensation

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has instituted a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and its agent, AT3 Resources Limited, at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

ARCON is seeking a declaration, among others, that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated, without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure, is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising law in Nigeria.

ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts has also led to loss of revenue to the federal government.

To this end, ARCON is seeking N30 billion in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms.

ARCON reiterated that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space.

It, however, explained that it was not regulating the online media space but rather advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.