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Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Will Meta lawsuits shape Africa's data privacy laws?
Representative image US tech giant Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — vowed earlier this month to fight huge fines issued by authorities in Nigeria for regulatory breaches. It comes after a Nigerian tribunal in April rejected Meta's appeal against a $220-million (€202-million) fine imposed last year by the country's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). FCCPC Chief Executive Officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria." The FCCPC accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians' personal data without authorization and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data is used. A Meta spokesperson told the AFP news agency that they "disagree with the NDPC's decision, which fails to take into account the wide range of settings and tools that allow everyone using Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to control how their information is used." "We're committed to protecting user privacy and have appealed the decision," the spokesperson added. Content moderation sparks legal action Meanwhile, according to British daily The Guardian, lawyers are preparing for a lawsuit against Majorel, a company owned by tech contractor Teleperformance, which is paid by Meta for content moderation. Content moderators working for Majorel in Ghana's capital, Accra, told The Guardian that they have suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia and substance abuse. They believe this is a direct result of their work as content moderators. They also claim that the psychological support offered to help process disturbing social media content was inadequate. Teleperformance has reportedly denied these accusations. According to The Guardian, the company employs its own mental health professionals, who are registered with the local supervisory authority. DW asked Majorel for comment but received no reply. In September 2024, a court in Kenya ruled that Meta can be sued, leading to further court cases and mediation proceedings. Calls for stronger regulatory framework Africa is a growing market for tech, with more companies setting up operations on the continent than elsewhere across the world. Beyond growth and expansion opportunities for global tech firms, the African continent also provides cheap labor and access to millions of multicultural and diverse users. However, unlike in Europe, holding tech companies accountable in Africa is complicated by lax and weak enforcement of data protection laws, most of which are similar to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. "It's a shifting landscape," said Akintunde Babatunde, executive director of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), a think tank. He noted that "whatever happens to those lawsuits will set precedent for what would potentially be a playbook for a lot of other countries on the continent." Babatunde attributed this to the evolution of tech companies over the years. "Tech platforms are no longer neutral platforms. They now serve as digital infrastructure for activism, social movements, the public sphere and even the digital economy," he said, calling for regulatory frameworks for tech platforms in Africa, as with other basic amenities. "We should think of them the same way we think of roads or airports as essential utilities that are central to everyday life. And just as airports are regulated locally and globally by aviation bodies, there's a need for a similar framework for tech platforms [on the continent]." Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative, an NGO working to connect under-served young Africans with digital opportunities, told DW that the decisions of these African countries go beyond exerting digital sovereignty, aiming to boost regulatory revenues. Some African countries are already working toward securing the value chains by strengthening their data laws. For instance, Nigeria's data protection agency has said it generated more than $1.2 million in regulatory revenue over the last two years. "Many countries in Africa have seen what happened in India, Europe and other regions, and are thinking that 'these companies are collecting our data and not paying anything for it'. That is also a significant factor behind the fines. But these fines are not an end in themselves," the digital rights expert said. "It's important that every company, including Meta and others, knows that there'd be consequences if data privacy laws aren't adhered to." What happens next? While it seems that Africa is gradually taking matters into its own hands, there are still palpable fears about governments on the continent using digital regulation and privacy laws to suppress dissenting voices under the guise of tech accountability. In recent years, young Africans have used platforms owned by global tech companies, such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), to mobilize and hold their governments accountable. The "Gen Z protests" in Kenya began with a hashtag on X before morphing into a movement that eventually forced authorities to back down on a controversial finance bill. In 2021, the Nigerian government suspended X after the platform deleted a post from former President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to punish regional secessionists. While he described these repressive actions as the "real problem," 'Gbenga noted that some African governments attack these platforms "because they are used by the opposition," and as such, "there's the tendency for governments to use that excuse to shut down and restrict platforms that they know citizens use significantly to drive conversations around dissenting voices."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Meta lawsuits shape Africa's data privacy laws?
US tech giant Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — vowed earlier this month to fight huge fines issued by authorities in Nigeria for regulatory breaches. It comes after a Nigerian tribunal in April rejected Meta's appeal against a $220 million (€202 million) fine imposed last year by the country's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria." The FCCPC accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians' personal data without authorization and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data is used. A Meta spokesperson told the AFP news agency that they "disagree with the NDPC's decision, which fails to take into account the wide range of settings and tools that allow everyone using Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to control how their information is used." "We're committed to protecting user privacy and have appealed the decision." Meanwhile, according to British daily The Guardian, lawyers are preparing for a lawsuit against Majorel, a company owned by tech contractor Teleperformance, which is paid by Meta for content moderation. Content moderators working for Majorel in Ghana's capital, Accra, told The Guardian that they have suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse. They believe this is a direct result of their work as content moderators. They also claim that the psychological support offered to help process disturbing social media content was inadequate. Teleperformance reportedly denies these accusations. According to The Guardian, the company employs its own mental health professionals, who are registered with the local supervisory authority. DW asked Majorel for comment but received no reply. In September 2024, a court in Kenya ruled that Meta can be sued, leading to further court cases and mediation proceedings. Africa is a growing market for tech, with more companies setting up operations on the continent than elsewhere across the world. Beyond growth and expansion opportunities for global tech firms, the African continent also provides cheap labor and access to millions of multicultural and diverse users. However, unlike in Europe, holding tech companies accountable in Africa is complicated by lax and weak enforcement of data protection laws, most of which are similar to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). "It's a shifting landscape," said Akintunde Babatunde, executive director of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), a think tank. He noted that "whatever happens to those lawsuits will set precedent for what would potentially be a playbook for a lot of other countries on the continent." Babatunde attributes this to the evolution of tech companies over the years. "Tech platforms are no longer neutral platforms. They now serve as digital infrastructure for activism, social movements, the public sphere and even the digital economy," he said, calling for regulatory frameworks for tech platforms in Africa, as with other basic amenities. "We should think of them the same way we think of roads or airports as essential utilities that are central to everyday life. And just as airports are regulated locally and globally by aviation bodies, there's a need for a similar framework for tech platforms [on the continent]." 'Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative, an NGO working to connect under-served young Africans with digital opportunities, told DW that the decisions of these African countries goes beyond exerting digital sovereignty, aiming to boost regulatory revenues. Some African countries are already working towards securing the value chains by strengthening their data laws. For instance, Nigeria's data protection agency says it generated over $1.2 million in regulatory revenue within the last two years. "Many countries in Africa have seen what happened in India, Europe and other regions, and are thinking that 'these companies are collecting our data and not paying anything for it'. That is also a significant factor behind the fines. But these fines are not an end in themselves," the digital rights expert said. "It's important that every company, including Meta and others, knows that there'd be consequences if data privacy laws aren't adhered to." While it seems that Africa is gradually taking matters into its own hands, there are still palpable fears about governments on the continent using digital regulation and privacy laws to suppress dissenting voices under the guise of tech accountability. In recent years, young Africans have used platforms owned by global tech companies, such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), to mobilize and hold their governments accountable. The 'Gen Z protests' in Kenya began with a hashtag on X before morphing into a movement that eventually forced authorities to back down on a controversial finance bill. In 2021, the Nigerian government suspended X after the platform deleted a post from former President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to punish regional secessionists. While he described these repressive actions as the "real problem," 'Gbenga noted that some African governments attack these platforms "because they are used by the opposition," and as such, "there's the tendency for governments to use that excuse to shut down and restrict platforms that they know citizens use significantly to drive conversations around dissenting voices." Stephanie Höppner contributed reporting Edited by: Keith Walker
DW
16-05-2025
- Business
- DW
Will Meta lawsuits shape Africa's data privacy laws? – DW – 05/16/2025
African countries are stepping up efforts to hold global tech giants like Meta accountable for data privacy violations. Could this mark a turning point in the continent's digital sovereignty? US tech giant Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — vowed earlier this month to fight huge fines issued by authorities in Nigeria for regulatory breaches. It comes after a Nigerian tribunal in April rejected Meta's appeal against a $220 million (€202 million) fine imposed last year by the country's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria." The FCCPC accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians' personal data without authorization and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data is used. A Meta spokesperson told the AFP news agency that they "disagree with the NDPC's decision, which fails to take into account the wide range of settings and tools that allow everyone using Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to control how their information is used." "We're committed to protecting user privacy and have appealed the decision." Content moderation sparks legal action Meanwhile, according to British daily The Guardian, lawyers are preparing for a lawsuit against Majorel, a company owned by tech contractor Teleperformance, which is paid by Meta for content moderation. Content moderators working for Majorel in Ghana's capital, Accra, told The Guardian that they have suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse. They believe this is a direct result of their work as content moderators. They also claim that the psychological support offered to help process disturbing social media content was inadequate. Explainer: Why Meta's monopoly is dangerous for you To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Teleperformance reportedly denies these accusations. According to The Guardian, the company employs its own mental health professionals, who are registered with the local supervisory authority. DW asked Majorel for comment but received no reply. In September 2024, a court in Kenya ruled that Meta can be sued, leading to further court cases and mediation proceedings. Calls for stronger regulatory framework Africa is a growing market for tech, with more companies setting up operations on the continent than elsewhere across the world. Beyond growth and expansion opportunities for global tech firms, the African continent also provides cheap labor and access to millions of multicultural and diverse users. However, unlike in Europe, holding tech companies accountable in Africa is complicated by lax and weak enforcement of data protection laws, most of which are similar to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). "It's a shifting landscape," said Akintunde Babatunde, executive director of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), a think tank. He noted that "whatever happens to those lawsuits will set precedent for what would potentially be a playbook for a lot of other countries on the continent." Babatunde attributes this to the evolution of tech companies over the years. "Tech platforms are no longer neutral platforms. They now serve as digital infrastructure for activism, social movements, the public sphere and even the digital economy," he said, calling for regulatory frameworks for tech platforms in Africa, as with other basic amenities. "We should think of them the same way we think of roads or airports as essential utilities that are central to everyday life. And just as airports are regulated locally and globally by aviation bodies, there's a need for a similar framework for tech platforms [on the continent]." 'Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative, an NGO working to connect under-served young Africans with digital opportunities, told DW that the decisions of these African countries goes beyond exerting digital sovereignty, aiming to boost regulatory revenues. Nigerians fuel TikTok craze To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some African countries are already working towards securing the value chains by strengthening their data laws. For instance, Nigeria's data protection agency says it generated over $1.2 million in regulatory revenue within the last two years. "Many countries in Africa have seen what happened in India, Europe and other regions, and are thinking that 'these companies are collecting our data and not paying anything for it'. That is also a significant factor behind the fines. But these fines are not an end in themselves," the digital rights expert said. "It's important that every company, including Meta and others, knows that there'd be consequences if data privacy laws aren't adhered to." What happens next? While it seems that Africa is gradually taking matters into its own hands, there are still palpable fears about governments on the continent using digital regulation and privacy laws to suppress dissenting voices under the guise of tech accountability. In recent years, young Africans have used platforms owned by global tech companies, such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), to mobilize and hold their governments accountable. The 'Gen Z protests' in Kenya began with a hashtag on X before morphing into a movement that eventually forced authorities to back down on a controversial finance bill. In 2021, the Nigerian government suspended X after the platform deleted a post from former President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to punish regional secessionists. While he described these repressive actions as the "real problem," 'Gbenga noted that some African governments attack these platforms "because they are used by the opposition," and as such, "there's the tendency for governments to use that excuse to shut down and restrict platforms that they know citizens use significantly to drive conversations around dissenting voices." A day without a smartphone — is that still possible? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stephanie Höppner contributed reporting Edited by: Keith Walker
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Meta fighting Nigerian fines, warns could shut Facebook, Instagram
LAGOS: Meta on Saturday vowed to fight Nigerian fines for various consumer data violations, reportedly threatening to cut off Facebook and Instagram in Africa's most populous country. A Nigerian tribunal last week rejected the US social media giant's appeal against a $220 million fine imposed by the country's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). In appeals court papers cited by various media, including the BBC and The Africa Report, Meta said it 'may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures'. Meta's social media platforms -- WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram -- are among the most popular in the country. Meta has until the end of June to pay the fine, Nigerian media reported. 'We disagree with the NDPC's (Nigerian Data Protection Commission) decision, which fails to take into account the wide range of settings and tools that allow everyone using Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to control how their information is used,' a Meta spokesperson told AFP. 'We're committed to protecting user privacy and have appealed the decision,' the company spokesperson said in an email response. Nigeria had accused Meta of violating the country's data protection and consumer rights laws on Facebook and WhatsApp. FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi had said investigations carried out in conjunction with the NDPC between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed 'invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria'. A WhatsApp spokesperson told AFP on Saturday: 'The FCCPC order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works, and we are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal the Tribunal's decision to avoid any impact to users.' On Saturday, the FCCPC described Meta's reaction as 'a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision'. In its statement it said that Meta had been sanctioned for 'similar breaches' in Texas, India, South Korea, France and Australia, but had 'never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed'. 'Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process,' the statement read. Nigeria had some 164.3 million internet subscriptions as of March, according to figures published on the National Communication Commission's website.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Weda Meta comot or not, dem gatz realise wetin dem do - Nigeria goment tell operators of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram
Di Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission don draw ear give Meta say dia threat no hold water becos dem go still owe gbese. Dem tok dis one for statement wey di FCCPC director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu bring come outside on Saturday. "WhatsApp claim say dem fit dey forced to comot Nigeria sake if di FCCPC recent order be like na calculated move wey dem do to cause negative public reaction wey dem tink fit make FCCPC to reconsider dia decision", Ijagwu tok. E add say, "to threaten to comot Nigeria no mean say Meta no owe di liabilities wey be say di result of judicial process put for dia head". According to wetin di company tok for court papers, dem say, "di applicant fit dey forced to shutdown Facebook and Instagram for Nigeria so dem go fit reduce di risk wey go come if dem no comply" but dem no tok anytin about WhatsApp for dat statement. Di FCCPC drop lowdown of wetin dem bin dey accuse Meta for. Dem claim say Meta violate di Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and di Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). Di accuse be say Meta "deny Nigerians di right to control dia personal data, dey share Nigerian user data witout permission, discriminate against Nigeria users compared to users for oda places and abuse dia dominant market position by say dem force unfair practices". Dem add say, di Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal na im stamp di FCCPC final order say dem want make "Meta Parties to do wetin Nigeria law tok, stop to dey exploit Nigeria consumers, change dia practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, wey go look like wetin be international best practices." Wetin be di fines wey FCCPC dey ask for For di weekend statement, FCCPC claim say " Meta bin dey fined for similar breaches for Texas for $1.5bn and recently dem ask dem to pay $1.3bn say dem violate di EU Data Privacy Rule. Dem aslo face penalties for similar breaches for India, South Korea, France and Australia". All dis na to torchlight di fact say, na just Nigeria Meta det blackmail say dem wan comot. Wetin start dis whole kasala against Meta? Na for 2020, dis mata start as di FCCPC begin 38 month collabo investigation wit di Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Di investigation torchlight di conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp. For 19 July, 2024, di FCCPC come issue final offer wey sama $220 million administrative penalty ontop Meta head say dem bin dey run discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers. As Meta no come like di Order, Meta and WhatsApp carry di FCCPC go di Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal as dem bin make di final arguments by 28 January, 2025 but no be till 25 April, 2025, na im di Tribunal come drop dia ruling. Di Tribunal release dia judgement on di case say mostly on di side of di commission for di seven issues Meta bin bring bifor di court. Dem even add on top di $220m administrative penalty say Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC go pay $35,000 to di FCCPC as cost of di investigation. Di three member panel of di Tribunal wey Honorable Thomas Okosun lead, while dem judge most di case in di Commission favour bin set aside Order 7 of di Commission Final Order say e no get legal basis.
