Nigeria Says Meta’s App Shutdown Threat is a Pressure Tactic

Nigeria has accused Meta of orchestrating a “negative” PR campaign after the tech giant hinted it will pull Facebook and Instagram from the country over a $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s consumer protection agency. Meta, which also faces penalties from Nigeria’s data and advertising regulators, claims the sanctions stem from unfair legal interpretations. It appealed the decision, seeking to have it overturned. However, a Nigerian court rejected its appeal. In a bold move, the company warned it might shut down its apps to avoid enforcement actions, though WhatsApp, its most-used platform in the country, was notably excluded from the warning. With over 51 million users relying on Meta’s services, especially small business owners, the standoff raises concerns about digital access and regulatory tensions in Africa’s largest tech market.

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