NDPC, Meta Move to Settle $32.8m Privacy Fine Dispute Out of Court
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, however, challenged the fine in court, arguing that the regulatory action was excessive and that it had made significant efforts to align with Nigeria’s data protection standards.
The move toward settlement signals a possible compromise between the Nigerian regulator and one of the world’s largest social media companies, amid rising global scrutiny of Big Tech’s handling of personal data.
