(3 Minutes Read)
The fine was imposed by Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in February 2025 for alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Meta was accused of using Nigerian users’ data for behavioural advertising without explicit consent, processing personal data of non-users, failing to file mandatory compliance audits, and transferring user data abroad without authorization.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to settle a US$32.8 million data privacy fine with the Nigerian government. The fine was imposed by Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in February 2025 for alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Meta was accused of using Nigerian users’ data for behavioural advertising without explicit consent, processing personal data of non-users, failing to file mandatory compliance audits, and transferring user data abroad without authorization.
The settlement, expected to be finalized by the end of October 2025, comes after months of legal disputes. Meta initially challenged the fine and the process but moved toward an out-of-court agreement, signalling willingness to comply with Nigeria’s growing regulatory demands.
This case highlights Nigeria’s assertiveness in regulating global tech companies and could set an influential precedent for data privacy enforcement across African markets.
The NDPC has ordered Meta to revise privacy policies, conduct localized data protection assessments, and gain explicit consent from users before targeted advertising. The outcome may shape how multinational tech companies handle user data and comply with emerging data protection laws in Africa.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/meta-to-insert-ads-in-whatsapp-to-mop-up-revenues/
The settlement also reflects broader regulatory momentum in Nigeria, which has imposed multi-million-dollar fines on other major tech firms for privacy violations, reinforcing the continent’s push for stronger digital governance and accountability.
