WhatsApp on the brink of leaving Nigeria

WhatsApp could be on the brink of pulling out of Nigeria, following a staggering $220 million fine from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over data privacy breaches. The shockwaves of this decision extend far beyond the fine, as the FCCPC’s demands may force the popular messaging app to halt operations in the country.

Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, is reeling from the commission’s insistence that WhatsApp stop sharing user data without explicit consent and restore user control over data usage.

A WhatsApp spokesperson expressed concern to TechCabal, stating, “It would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure,” suggesting a potential global impact.

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The controversy centers around WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy update, which Meta claims does not involve sharing user data. However, the FCCPC’s stringent stance, underpinned by Nigeria’s National Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), is sparking debates on the proportionality of the fine and the legal framework’s robustness.

As WhatsApp considers suspending its services, the implications for Nigeria are profound. Small businesses and millions of users who rely on Meta’s platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook—may face significant disruptions.

With privacy lawyers questioning the NDPR’s authority and government figures debating the fine’s justification, the situation raises a critical question: Will Nigeria’s stand on data privacy force WhatsApp out, and at what cost?