Nigerian policymakers put out fires this week, responding to threats to take down WhatsApp and denying any approval of mobile rate increases in the West African country.
On the first point, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has criticized instant messaging service WhatsApp’s claims that it may leave Nigeria after its parent company, Meta, was convicted last month. last fined $220 million for alleged data breaches.
“WhatsApp’s claim that it may be forced to leave Nigeria due to the 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 said via its verified account on X.
Last month, the FCCPC fined Meta $220 million – the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram – for alleged abuse of Nigerian users’ data.
Last week, a WhatsApp spokesperson told TechCabal it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure and claimed that the government order contained numerous inaccuracies and misrepresented the functioning of WhatsApp.
This has led to speculation that WhatsApp could withdraw from the Nigerian market because of the fine, which has consequences on the country’s economy and population.
The FCCPC said that before imposing the penalty, it conducted an investigation from May 2021 to December 2023 during which it investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly called Meta Parties) for allegedly violating the law Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and Nigerian law. Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“The Commission found that Meta Parties committed multiple and repeated violations of the FCCPA and the NDPR. These violations included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian users’ data without authorization , discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by imposing unfair privacy policies,” the regulator claimed.
The FCCPC said WhatsApp’s claims that it could be forced to leave Nigeria appeared to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion. (Source: Freepik)
Therefore, its final order requires Meta Parties to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, modify their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumers’ rights.
“To deter future violations and ensure accountability for alleged violations, the FCCPC also imposed a fine of $220 million,” the regulator explained.
He said his actions were based on legitimate concerns about consumer protection and data privacy and believes the order is a positive step towards a more equitable digital market in Nigeria.
“Similar measures are being taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to exit the market. Nigeria’s case will be no different,” the FCCPA concluded.
NCC bluffs on price increases
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied rumors that it has approved higher telecommunications tariffs, advising the Nigerian public to ignore any such reports.
“The NCC has not approved any new telecom tariff plans or increases as reported online. The public is advised to disregard this,” the NCC said in a post on X.
The Commission, however, said it had issued a directive calling on Nigerian operators to simplify their current tariff plans in a transparent and fair manner for consumers.
NCC Executive Vice President Dr Aminu Maida also refuted allegations of increase on his verified X account, terming reports of tariff hikes as “fake news”.
The Commission’s position follows the efforts of telecommunications operators who seek to adjust their prices to restore the country’s profitability.
Ralph Mupita, CEO and Chairman of pan-African telecommunications operator MTN Group, has hinted at possible tariff increases in Nigeria as part of the telecom operator’s end-of-year results in March 2024.
He said the group was working to restore Nigeria’s profitability. This could include working with regulators to introduce tariff increases and restructuring tower contracts to reduce network spending.
The NCC statement comes at a time when young Nigerians are protesting against poor governance, rising cost of living and corruption.
— Matshepo Sehloho, associate editor, Connect Africa