After Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine on WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, in July, the messaging platform is now considering whether to withdraw from the country.
The fine followed a joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, which found that WhatsApp violated data privacy laws by sharing user information with other Meta subsidiaries. The investigation also alleged that the “Meta Parties” engaged in invasive and exploitative practices against Nigerian data consumers.
In response, the FCCPC issued a final order mandating that WhatsApp comply with Nigerian regulations, cease exploiting consumers, revise its practices to align with Nigerian standards, and respect consumer rights. WhatsApp’s legal team has appealed the order, arguing that the fine was imposed without due process. The company contended that creating a “consent mechanism for each data point processed by Nigerian users” would be too costly and complex.
WhatsApp maintains that the FCCPC’s order lacks a strong legal foundation. It pointed out that its updated privacy policy grants Nigerians greater control over their data. The company also suggested it may exit the Nigerian market if forced to comply with the order.
“This order contains numerous inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp operates,” a spokesperson for WhatsApp told TechPoint Africa. “WhatsApp uses minimal data to run its services and protect users. It would be impossible to continue offering WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure.”
The FCCPC, however, asserts that its actions are driven by legitimate consumer protection concerns and data privacy issues. It views the order as a crucial step toward creating a fairer digital marketplace in Nigeria. The Commission also highlighted that similar measures in other countries have not forced companies to abandon those markets.
Despite WhatsApp’s claim that it might stop operating in Nigeria rather than invest in improved data protections, industry experts believe the company is unlikely to leave the country.
“Nigeria is a highly valuable market for companies like WhatsApp. Exiting would result in greater losses than staying,” said Nathaniel Ike, a tech expert and founder of Techclout Africa. “WhatsApp is more likely to negotiate a reduced fine or appeal to the government. Businesses don’t shut down due to challenges—they adapt and evolve.”
Many journalists have expressed concern over the potential impact of WhatsApp’s withdrawal on their work. The platform is widely used by journalists for communication, networking, holding virtual meetings, engaging with sources, and distributing news reports.
“WhatsApp is one of the main platforms journalists use for daily interactions,” said Akintunde Babatunde, director of programs at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development. “It’s a hub for newsrooms to coordinate editorial work, circulate stories, and engage audiences through WhatsApp channels.”
Babatunde also pointed out that WhatsApp’s low data consumption compared to other social media platforms makes it accessible to users with limited financial resources, many of whom rely on small data plans to stay connected.
Mohammed Taoheed, a reporter for Premium Times, emphasized the importance of WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption for conducting sensitive interviews.
“While there are alternative social media platforms, none offer encryption as strong as WhatsApp’s,” Taoheed said. “If WhatsApp leaves, it will be much harder for me to conduct secure interviews.”