NDPC, Meta Move to Settle $32.8m Privacy Fine Dispute Out of Court
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, have agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement in the ongoing dispute over a $32.8 million privacy fine imposed on the tech giant.
At the resumed hearing on Friday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, counsel representing both parties informed the court that negotiations for settlement were underway.
The development came on a day the court was expected to deliver rulings on two pending applications NDPC’s preliminary objection to Meta’s suit challenging the fine, and Meta’s application seeking leave to amend its court filings.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to allow the parties to explore settlement terms.
The dispute stems from a fine imposed by the NDPC on Meta over alleged breaches of Nigeria’s data privacy regulations.
The commission accused the company of failing to comply with provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which mandates strict safeguards for user information processed by digital platforms.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, contested the hefty fine imposed by Nigerian authorities, taking the matter to court. The tech giant argued that the regulatory action was disproportionate, especially considering the steps it claims to have taken to comply with Nigeria’s data protection laws. Meta maintained that it had implemented meaningful measures to safeguard user data and to align its practices with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which sets standards for data privacy and transparency.
The recent move toward a settlement suggests that both parties—the Nigerian government and Meta—may be open to finding common ground rather than pursuing a prolonged legal battle. This development could be seen as a pragmatic approach, reflecting a broader global trend in which regulators and Big Tech companies are increasingly engaging in negotiations and settlements rather than drawn-out court disputes.
At the heart of the matter lies a growing tension worldwide: governments are ramping up scrutiny of how major tech companies collect, store, and use personal data, while those companies are trying to balance compliance with local laws and the operational complexity of running global platforms. For Nigeria, a country with a rapidly expanding digital economy and a youthful online population, ensuring strong data protection is a critical issue. For Meta, resolving the case amicably may help preserve its reputation and business interests in one of Africa’s most important markets.
