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WhatsApp exit threat an attempt to sway public opinion, says FCCPC
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has described Meta’s threat to exit the country in response to the $220m fine as a move to influence public opinion and coerce the commission into reevaluating its decision.
It affirmed that the ruling to fine Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, followed legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy policies contrary to stipulated laws.
Last week, the FCCPC ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with Facebook companies and third parties without explicit consent, provide information on data collection, and restore user control over data usage.
The commission following a comprehensive 38-month investigation into its data privacy practices and market behaviour said Meta parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
It, therefore, fined the parent company the sum of $220m for an unauthorised appropriation of personal data without user consent, discriminatory practices against Nigerian users.
Although, the ruling has been appealed, WhatsApp In an email message to The PUNCH on Thursday, said the imposed penalty may affect services rendered by messaging platform in the country.
This is because WhatsApp relies on limited data infrastructure from its parent company to run its service and keep users safe.
The response signed by a WhatsApp spokesperson read, “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.
“This order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works and we are urgently appealing the order to avoid any impact to users.”
But reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Thursday night, the Consumer Protection Commission stated that the firm discriminated against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abused its dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
It added that the order is a positive step towards a fair digital market in Nigeria.
The statement read, “WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
“The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
“The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.”
It added that, “The final order requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights.
“To deter future violations and ensure accountability for the alleged infringements the FCCPC also imposed a monetary penalty of $220m.
“The FCCPC’s actions are based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and the order is a positive step towards a fairer digital market in Nigeria. Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different,” the statement concluded.
Defence Headquarters, Thursday, described as ‘laughable’, allegation by Chairman, Tantitta Security Services, Mr Government Ekpemuopolo, alias Tompolo, that the Nigerian Navy was sabotaging the fight against crude oil theft.
Noting that it cannot be seen to be joining issues with Tompolo, the DHQ, said the work of the Navy and its determined efforts to rid the Niger Delta of economic saboteurs and crude oil thieves which is reflecting on the nation’s crude production, was there for everybody to see.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this while commenting on Tompolo’s allegation made on Monday.
He said: “What I will say is that such allegation is just laughable. We will not join issues with anybody. What we seek is cooperation not conflict. We don’t want all these back and forth. We don’t want all this blackmail. What we want is working to ensure increased production of crude oil.
“The efforts of our Navy is very obvious. It is there for everybody to see and we are seeing the increase in crude oil production. We are ready to work in collaboration with stakeholders to continue to increase oil production. That is what we want.”
Recall that Tompolo had on Monday accused Navy personnel of being a clog in Tantitta’s fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, calling on Nigerians to join hands in the battle to save the country’s economy.
Also, Major General Buba disclosed that those (IPOB/ESN) members responsible for the killing of three soldiers at a checkpoint in Abia State would be tracked down and made to pay the price for their murderous act.
Urging innocent citizens of the area not to panic, he said: “Our troops were attacked on November 13, and we recorded three casualties in the South East. To those expressing fear that troops will come and start killing everybody, this is not true.
“We are a professional force with rules of engagement. We will not go about killing people, but there will be consequences for those responsible for the attack. Our target will be against the terrorists and we will get them and I will give you the good news.”
Nigerians to enjoy slightly lower prices for petrol following a crash in the landing cost of petroleum products.
From all indications based on the data from major marketers, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that landing cost crashed to ₦935.94 per litre from its last reported price of ₦977.
By implication, filling stations across the country are also expected to reduce the price per litre of petrol for sale to members of the public.
MEMAN in its report published on Tuesday, gave the ex-depot price for Lagos at ₦1,029 per litre for petrol, ₦1,120 per litre for diesel, ₦1,040 per litre for aviation fuel and ₦1,125 per litre for LPG.
The report put the price for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at between ₦230 per scm and ₦450.
Recent exchange rate stability is said to be responsible for the slight crash recorded in landing costs of petroleum products in Nigeria.
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