WhatsApp vows to appeal $220m fine as tribunal ruling stands
WhatsApp has announced that it will seek an urgent stay of execution and appeal a Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal decision that upheld a $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.WhatsApp made this announcement in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos, claiming that it strongly disagrees with the tribunal's judgment, according to NAN.
Recall that in addition to upholding the $220 million punishment, the tribunal ordered WhatsApp and its parent firm, Meta Platforms Inc., to pay an additional $35,000 to the FCCPC.
This additional payment is intended to cover the commission's investigative costs relating to the companies' data policies.
WhatsApp responded to the judgment by stating that it would "urgently apply to stay the order and appeal today's decision to avoid any impact on users."
WhatsApp strenuously disagreed with the tribunal's order, claiming that the FCCPC's finding had "multiple inaccuracies" and misunderstood how WhatsApp worked.
WhatsApp cautioned that the tribunal's verdict might have far-reaching consequences for its ability to operate not only in Nigeria, but also in other regions, stating, "It will be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria, or globally, without the infrastructure of our parent company, Meta."
It was previously reported that the tribunal ruled in favor of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, upholding the $220 million fine initially imposed on WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, for alleged discriminatory data practices in Nigeria.
The FCCPC had accused WhatsApp and Meta of neglecting to treat Nigerian users similarly with consumers from other locations.
The regulator expressed major concerns regarding privacy, consent, and data protection, claiming that these activities were discriminatory.
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