Abuja: The Federal Government has clarified its decision to investigate and subsequently fine tech giant Meta, emphasizing the need for the company to adhere to national laws. The U.S.-based company, responsible for operating social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, recently faced a 220 million dollar penalty imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for data breaches.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), addressed the issue during a Training for DevsInGovernment event in Abuja. The event, themed ‘Innovating with Privacy: Building Trust in Government Digital Services,’ aimed to enhance the digital knowledge and skills of government workers. Olatunji highlighted that the investigation into Meta’s operations was not intended to be punitive but was necessary to ensure compliance with Nigerian laws.
Olatunji further elaborated that the probe into Meta Platforms Inc. required a multi-agency approach to guarantee a comprehensive investigation and resolution of the issues. The government’s concern lies in how citizens’ data is collected and managed both within and outside Nigeria. Olatunji stressed the importance of upholding global best standards and practices to maximize the economic benefits for citizens and the nation.
With the sensitive nature of data in governance and businesses, Olatunji affirmed that the Federal Government is committed to taking all legally necessary steps to sanitize the sector. He emphasized that the future of government is digital, and the success of digital governance relies on building trust, with privacy as its foundation. Achieving this goal requires collaboration across public and private sectors, civil societies, and citizens to create a citizen-centric, innovative digital nation that others could emulate.