$200m: CSOs Tell Meta to Demonstrate Transparency in Gov’t Interactions

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Civil Society Organization, Paradigm Initiative, has recommended that Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC demonstrate transparency in their dealings with the Nigerian government and relevant authorities.

The group stated that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and others seeking to assert regulatory authority over platforms, must be transparent and clearly justify the proportionality of proposed punishments or fines.

Last month, the acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Abdullahi, said, “Only last week, FCCPC issued a final order and imposed a monetary penalty of $220,000,000.00 (two hundred and twenty million USD) against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC over discriminatory practices in Nigeria.

“This is an investigation that has taken place for the past three years, and I was part of it. We found out that when you register for the first time to join WhatsApp, there is a column that says you have agreed for your data to be shared for research.”

Reacting to the development during a media parley on Thursday, Paradigm Initiative program officer, Sani Suleiman, recommended that Meta must demonstrate transparency in its interactions with the Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies.

According to Sani, “Nigerians should not undermine the regulatory duty of respective agencies but continue to demand clarity, transparency, and accountability.

“Our priority is to make demands that the rights of Nigerians must be the prevailing priorities for all platform governance initiatives by both the platforms and the Nigerian government.

“We unequivocally insist that platforms must be accountable not just to the Nigerian government but also to the Nigerian people.”

Sani explained that effective platform governance requires robust capacity. Regulators must develop the necessary skills and resources to hold platforms accountable, moving beyond a sole focus on fines.

Platform accountability should not be reduced to revenue-generating activities. While fines are legitimate, they must be proportionate and must reflect a genuine desire to ensure that the right is done.

The group also commended Meta’s decision to appeal the decision to make its case, saying that dialogue was always the better alternative course of action.

He said the alleged threat to exit the Nigerian market was disrespectful to Meta’s Nigerian users. Meta and other platforms should publish periodic transparency reports detailing how they collaborate with the Nigerian government.

” The entire Nigerian platform governance regulatory landscape must be clearly defined, and the roles of respective government agencies clearly articulated.”