WhatsApp, one of Nigeria’s leading messaging platforms, may soon suspend its services in the country.
This possible action comes in response to a $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms for allegedly violating data privacy laws.
In response to the situation, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: “We want to be really clear that technically, based on the order, it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally.
“This order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works. 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 Meta’s infrastructure. We are urgently appealing the order to avoid any impact on users.”
In July, the FCCPC imposed a $220 million (over ₦300 billion) fine on Meta for allegedly misusing Nigerian users’ data.
The commission accused Meta of leveraging its market dominance to enforce exploitative privacy policies and collecting users’ data without proper consent.
It ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with other Meta companies and third parties without explicit approval or consent. Additionally, WhatsApp was directed to provide transparency about data collection practices and restore users’ control over their data usage.
This decision came after a three-year investigation into Meta’s operations and conduct, spanning from May 2021 to December 2023.
Meta has challenged the FCCPC’s directive to halt the sharing of user information, arguing that it cannot revert to its 2016 data-sharing policy.
The company argues that it has not posed any threats to Nigerian users and believes there is confusion regarding the transfer of data to Facebook.
The situation underscores ongoing concerns about data privacy and regulatory compliance, which could impact millions of WhatsApp users in Nigeria.
