The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook), to promptly pay the $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This fine was upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal and is a consequence of Meta’s significant breaches of Nigerian consumer protection, data privacy, and human rights laws.

In a letter dated April 26, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization demanded that Zuckerberg and Meta not only pay the fine but also provide justice and appropriate remedies for the victims affected by these violations. SERAP called for compensation for those harmed by Meta’s actions and insisted that the company take measures to prevent such violations from recurring. The organization also called for the payment of $35,000, which the Tribunal awarded to cover the cost of the investigation conducted by the FCCPC.

The Tribunal's ruling followed a 38-month investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which found that Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, engaged in exploitative practices and discriminated against Nigerian users. The investigation looked into Meta’s data protection policies, consumer practices, and adherence to Nigerian law.

SERAP expressed concern over the ongoing human rights violations caused by Meta, particularly in relation to privacy rights, which continue to undermine Nigerians' freedoms on Meta platforms. The organization warned that these violations could persist unless Meta takes swift action to rectify the situation by paying the fine and compensating the victims.

The FCCPC’s fine came after a prior administrative penalty against Meta in July 2024, following the joint investigation that revealed Meta’s involvement in practices that violated data privacy for Nigerian users. SERAP emphasized the need for Meta to fully comply with the Tribunal's ruling and to ensure alignment with international human rights standards, such as those set out by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

SERAP further called for Zuckerberg and Meta to publicly commit to paying the $220 million fine and compensating the victims. Additionally, SERAP urged Meta to fulfill the $35,000 cost of the investigation, take immediate steps to prevent further violations, and ensure greater transparency in their human rights efforts within Nigeria. The organization also requested Meta to provide information on how it plans to align its operations with international privacy and human rights standards.

If Meta fails to act within seven days, SERAP warned that it would take legal action at national, regional, and international levels to enforce compliance with the Tribunal’s ruling.

Meta has yet to respond to SERAP’s demands. This case highlights the growing need for stronger accountability of international corporations operating in countries like Nigeria, where consumer protection laws are being rigorously enforced. It also underscores the increasing global pressure on tech companies to adhere to data protection and human rights standards in all regions they serve.

The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how multinational corporations address issues related to data privacy and consumer rights, especially in emerging markets, and stress the importance of robust regulatory oversight and corporate accountability.