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Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria: Meta threatens to cut access over fines Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria: Meta threatens to cut access over fines
(7 days later)
People in Nigeria may lose access to Facebook and Instagram after parent company Meta said it faced large fines and "unrealistic" regulatory demands from the Nigerian authorities. People in Nigeria may lose access to Facebook and Instagram after parent company Meta said it faced large fines and "unrealistic" regulatory demands from the Nigerian authorities, according to the Africa Report.
Last year, three Nigerian oversight agencies imposed fines on the US-based social media giant totalling more than $290m (£218m) for violating various laws and regulations.Last year, three Nigerian oversight agencies imposed fines on the US-based social media giant totalling more than $290m (£218m) for violating various laws and regulations.
Meta was unsuccessful in a recent attempt to challenge the decisions in the federal high court in Abuja. Meta was unsuccessful in a recent attempt to challenge the decisions in the Abuja High Court.
"The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures," the company said in the court papers. "The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures," the company reportedly said in court papers.
Meta also owns WhatsApp, but it did not mention the messaging service in its statement.Meta also owns WhatsApp, but it did not mention the messaging service in its statement.
The high court has given the company until the end of June to pay the fines.The high court has given the company until the end of June to pay the fines.
The BBC has asked Meta to outline what its next steps will be but has not yet received a response. The BBC has asked Meta for comment.
Facebook is by far the most popular social media platform in Nigeria and is used by tens of millions in the country for daily communication and sharing news. It is also a vital tool for many of Nigeria's small online businesses.Facebook is by far the most popular social media platform in Nigeria and is used by tens of millions in the country for daily communication and sharing news. It is also a vital tool for many of Nigeria's small online businesses.
In July last year, Meta was asked to pay three fines:In July last year, Meta was asked to pay three fines:
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220m fine for alleged anti-competitive practicesThe Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220m fine for alleged anti-competitive practices
The advertising regulator fined the company $37.5m over unapproved advertisingThe advertising regulator fined the company $37.5m over unapproved advertising
And the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) alleged Meta had violated data privacy laws and fined it $32.8m.And the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) alleged Meta had violated data privacy laws and fined it $32.8m.
FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the data commission between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria" but was not specific about what these were.FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the data commission between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria" but was not specific about what these were.
In its court submission, Meta said its "primary concern" was with the data commission, which it accused of "misinterpreting" data privacy laws.In its court submission, Meta said its "primary concern" was with the data commission, which it accused of "misinterpreting" data privacy laws.
Specifically, the commission has demanded that Meta seek prior approval before transferring any personal data out of Nigeria - a condition that Meta called "unrealistic".Specifically, the commission has demanded that Meta seek prior approval before transferring any personal data out of Nigeria - a condition that Meta called "unrealistic".
The data commission also imposed other demands.The data commission also imposed other demands.
Meta was told it must provide an icon linking to educational videos about data privacy risks. This would be content created in collaboration with government-approved educational institutions and non-profit organisations.Meta was told it must provide an icon linking to educational videos about data privacy risks. This would be content created in collaboration with government-approved educational institutions and non-profit organisations.
The NDPC insisted that these videos highlight the dangers of "manipulative and unfair data processing" that could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks.The NDPC insisted that these videos highlight the dangers of "manipulative and unfair data processing" that could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks.
Meta described the NDPC's demands as unfeasible, saying that the agency has failed to "properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy".Meta described the NDPC's demands as unfeasible, saying that the agency has failed to "properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy".
Update 8 May: This article originally reported that Meta had said in court papers that people in Nigeria may lose access to Facebook and Instagram. We have updated it to attribute the source of this quote to Africa Report.
More BBC stories from Nigeria:More BBC stories from Nigeria:
'Nigerian Senate is run like a cult', suspended MP tells BBC'Nigerian Senate is run like a cult', suspended MP tells BBC
'Pregnant' for 15 months: Inside the 'miracle' fertility scam'Pregnant' for 15 months: Inside the 'miracle' fertility scam
'I scarred my six children by using skin-lightening creams''I scarred my six children by using skin-lightening creams'
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica