WhatsApp has announced a potential exit from Nigeria in response to the demands and a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The company has expressed concerns that complying with the FCCPC’s order would be technically impossible and could impact its global operations.
In a statement, WhatsApp highlighted the severity of the situation: “We want to be really clear that technically, based on the order, it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally.” The company did not specify the exact nature of the demands but indicated that they were significant enough to jeopardize the app’s functionality.
The potential exit of WhatsApp from Nigeria could have widespread implications, considering the app’s extensive user base in the country. Nigerians rely heavily on WhatsApp for communication, business transactions, and social interactions. The move would disrupt millions of users and potentially lead to a search for alternative messaging platforms.
FCCPC fined WhatsApp for data privacy violation and asked WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with other Facebook companies and third parties without explicit consent.
The agency also insisted WhatsApp must also provide information about data collection and restore user control over data usage.
According to this smear job piece, WhatsApp is claiming it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally based on the fines meanwhile just days ago, META, WhatsApp parent company agreed to pay $1.4billion to the State of Texas for similar data violation they got fined for. Nigeria and our privacy laws cannot and must not be taken for granted.
The FCCPC’s demands and fine are part of broader regulatory actions targeting tech companies operating in Nigeria. The government’s increasing scrutiny of digital platforms has raised concerns about the impact on foreign investment and the digital economy.
As the situation develops, both WhatsApp and the FCCPC are expected to engage in further negotiations to seek a resolution.
The outcome will be closely watched by stakeholders, including users, tech companies, and regulatory bodies globally.
