The Federal Government has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for alleged breaches of data privacy regulations.

Facebook’s Parent Company Meta Fined $220 Million by FG for Data Privacy Violations

In a statement released on Friday, 19th July, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) announced the penalty, citing violations under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).

Adamu Abdullahi, the FCCPC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, stated that Meta was found culpable of several infractions, including the unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerian data, cross-border storage violations, discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling practices. Additionally, Meta was accused of denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determination regarding their personal data.

The fine underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to enforcing data privacy laws and protecting the personal information of its citizens. The FCCPC’s actions reflect a broader trend of increased scrutiny and regulation of tech giants over data privacy concerns worldwide.

Read statements in part;

“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) jointly referred to as ‘Meta Parties’ in respect to this investigation.

“The subject of the ONSC was to relay the Commission’s investigative report in respect of its findings that the Meta Parties by their conduct have violated the above stated provisions of the FCCPA and NDPR (which was in force prior to the enactment and operationalisation of the NDPA (Nigeria Data Protection Act), 2023) and for the Meta Parties to show reasonable cause why the Commission should not proceed to enter its orders as final and enforceable pursuant to the FCCPA, particularly sections 17, 18, 155, and 159.

“Between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months, a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Parties conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and Meta Parties practices has evolved.

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“Meta Parties have provided some information/evidence that are in part responsive to document requests and summons under the joint investigation.

“Meta Parties by themselves, and retained counsels have also repeatedly engaged with, and met with investigators and analysts from the Commission, and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.

“The totality of the investigation has concluded that Meta Parties over a protracted period of time have engaged in conduct that constitute multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements of the FCCA and NDPR, particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria, such as appropriating personal data or information without consent, discriminatory practices against Nigerian data subjects/consumers or disparate treatment of consumers/data subjects compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks, abuse of dominant market position by forcing unscrupulous, exploitative, and non-compliant privacy policies which appropriated consumer personal information without the option or opportunity to self-determine or otherwise withhold or provide consent to the gathering, use, and/or sharing of such personal data.

“Being satisfied with the significant evidence on the record, and that Meta Parties have been provided every opportunity to articulate any position, representations, refutations, explanations or defences of their conduct and practices under law, the Commission have now entered a Final Order, and issued a penalty against Meta Parties.

“The Final Order more elaborately describes the specific conduct or practices of the Meta Parties, relationship between Meta Parties with respect to the infringements, particularly with regard to: Denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determine; Unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian data-subjects personal data, including cross- border storage in violation of then, and now prevailing law; Discrimination and disparate treatment; Abuse of Dominance; and Tying and bundling.

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“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse, as well as desist from future similar or other conduct/practices that do not meet nationally applicable standards and undermine the rights of consumers.

“The Final order also imposes a monetary penalty of Two Hundred and Twenty Million U.S. Dollars only ($220,000,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) which penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).”

The number of vehicles imported into the country fell sharply by 60.4 per cent, year-on-year, YoY, to 10,991 in the first half of this year, H1’24, reflecting the impact of the naira depreciation and general economic downturn.

Vehicle Importation falls by 60.8% in First Half of 2024

This information was included in the report of the recently completed quarterly meeting of the Nigerian Port Consultative Council, NPCC.

The report said:

“Vehicle Traffic shows a total 10,991 units of vehicles was handled during the period under review, indicating a drop of 60.8 per cent from 28,024 units in 2023.”

Following the same trend, the number of ships that called at the nation’s seaports decreased by 4.3 per cent, YoY to 251 in H1’24 from 275 in H1’23.

But despite the drop in vessel calls, the Gross Tonnage of ships increased by 6.9 per cent to 32.614 million metric tons in H1’24 from 30,504,276 in H1’23.

The report added: “The cargo throughput, excluding crude oil, stood at 21.186 million metric tonnes against 18.234 million metric tonnes in 2023 indicating an increase of 16.1 per cent.

“Inward cargo traffic reached 13.563 million metric tonnes representing a 10.5 per cent of cargo throughput in 2023. Outward cargo traffic was 7.6234 million metric tonnes, representing 27.7 per cent.

Container traffic for the period under review stood at 398,447 between January and June showing an increase of 2.3 per cent from 389,303 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units, TEUs handled in 2023.

“A further analysis of container traffic revealed that import containers accounted for 3.4 per cent with 198,415 TEUs while export container traffic stood at 195,106 TEUs representing a decrease of 1.2 percent of total container traffic.

“A breakdown of export container traffic revealed that empty containers accounted for about 36.3 per cent of total export container traffic. The average turn-around time of vessels was 4.6 days, compared with 5.1 days in 2023. The significant improvement in average turn-around time for vessels was brought about by the impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port which achieved an average turn-around of only one day.

“The increase in Gross Registered Tonnage, GRT, despite the drop in the number of vessel calls revealed the berthing of bigger vessels, especially at Lekki Port where the average GRT of vessels is 3,801,191. This further gives credibility to the importance of a deep seaport to the Nigerian maritime or port development.

“Therefore, the collective efforts of all stakeholders are required to ensure that Lekki Deep Seaport does not suffer the same fate as Apapa for ease of cargo evacuation.”

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Meta announced a new beta program on Wednesday called Content Monetization for Facebook. This program aims to help creators earn more money.

Facebook Makes Earning Easier: Meta Launches New Program

The program combines three monetization tools:

In-stream ads
Ads on Reels
Performance bonus

These tools allow creators to monetize a wider range of content, including:

Reels

Long-form videos
Photos
Text posts

The new Meta programme consolidates Facebook’s existing monetisation programmes, offering creators a unified approach to earn from multiple formats.

Previously, only about one-third of creators could earn from more than one Facebook-funded program due to varying eligibility and availability. This has improved, with over four million creators earning money on the platform since 2017. In the past year alone, Facebook has paid out more than $2 billion to creators.

“We’re proud of how our monetization programs have helped creators thrive on Facebook, but we know that the different availability, eligibility requirements and sign-up processes of our various programs have resulted in some creators missing opportunities and others not being eligible to earn from all available formats. And the data backs this up – today only about one third of monetizing creators on Facebook earn from more than one Facebook-funded program,” the company said today.

Earnings from Reels and short-form videos have particularly surged, with payouts increasing by over 80% in the past year.

How It Works

The Content Monetization beta simplifies the monetization process by:

1. Allowing creators to earn from different content formats through a single program.

2. Providing unified performance insights for easier tracking

3. Maintaining a performance-based payout structure.

When It Starts

Facebook has begun sending invitations to one million creators already earning money on the platform, with full enrolment expected in 2025.

Creators interested in early access can join through the monetisation tab in the Professional dashboard or Meta Business Suite.

This strategic consolidation aims to further empower Facebook’s creator community, making it easier and more rewarding to monetise their content.

‘Can I have my designs back please?’

“I, Robot” Director Claims Elon Musk Stole His Designs

The director of the hit sci-fi movie I, Robot has slammed Elon Musk for “stealing” his designs.

Alex Proyas directed the 2004 movie set in 2035 Chicago, where highly intelligent robots work in public service positions. The futuristic film stars Will Smith as a detective investigating a murder seemingly carried out by the robotic police force in the city.

But 20 years after the film’s release, Proyas thinks Tesla founder Elon Musk has been taking more than a little inspiration from his robot designs in I, Robot.

In a post on X on Sunday, Proyas called out the billionaire, highlighting design similarities from his film and some Tesla products.

He wrote: “Hey Elon, Can I have my designs back please?”

Hey Elon, Can I have my designs back please? #ElonMusk #Elon_Musk pic.twitter.com/WPgxHevr6E

— Alex Proyas (@alex_proyas) October 13, 2024

I, Robot was a commercial success on its release, grossing more $347.2 million at the global box office. However, it was met with a lukewarm reception from critics, with the film holding a score of 57 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.