Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria fined Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta $220 million last week for violating data and consumer protection laws.

The FCCPC listed infringements perpetrated by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in an order issued against the US internet giant.

According to a statement issued by Dr Adamu Abdullahi, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the FCCPC, an inquiry took place over a 38-month period from May 2021 to December 2023.

According to the statement, Meta has repeatedly violated FCCPA and Nigerian Data Protection Commission laws, including denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determination, unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerian data subjects' personal data, discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling.

Abdullahi said that the injunction is intended to ensure compliance and prevent the exploitation of Nigerian consumers.

“The final order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse,” he said.