WhatsApp, a major messaging platform in Nigeria, is facing the possibility of halting its operations in the country. This potential move follows heightened demands from Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection agency, which recently fined Meta Platforms $220 million for data privacy violations.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Meta is considering “withdrawing certain services” in Nigeria, as reported by TechCabal. A WhatsApp spokesperson responded to these developments by pointing out several inaccuracies in the new regulatory order and its misrepresentation of the platform’s operations.
“We want to be really clear that technically, based on the order, it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally,” the spokesperson said. “This order contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresents how WhatsApp works. WhatsApp relies on limited data to run our service and keep users safe, and it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally without Meta’s infrastructure. We are urgently appealing the order to avoid any impact on users,” the statement added.
Meta has not commented on the Nigerian watchdog’s claim that WhatsApp did not allow users to opt out of the 2021 policy. However, the company maintains that its January 2021 Privacy Policy update does not involve sharing user data with third parties.
“While traditionally mobile carriers and operators store this information, we believe that keeping these records for two billion users would be both a privacy and security risk and we don’t do it,” the privacy document reads.
Although Meta is subject to regulatory oversight, the proportionality of the $220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC has been questioned by two unnamed government officials.
WhatsApp has become the leading social media platform in Nigeria, engaging approximately 95% of the country’s internet users. With an estimated 51 million users, the platform is essential for personal, professional, and commercial interactions. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rely on WhatsApp for customer engagement, marketing, and transactions. The introduction of the WhatsApp Business API service has further integrated the platform into business operations and commerce.
Should WhatsApp exit Nigeria, the economic repercussions would be significant. Business activities could be disrupted, customer engagement could suffer, and the broader commercial landscape could face substantial challenges.
As Meta contends with regulatory pressures in Nigeria, the fate of WhatsApp in the country remains uncertain. The outcome of this dispute will have wide-ranging implications, affecting millions of users who rely on the platform for daily communication and numerous businesses that depend on it for their operations.
