Meta and Nigeria Reach a $32.8 Million Settlement Regarding a Data Privacy Breach
Meta consents to pay the Data Protection Commission of Nigeria $32.8 million for breaking data transfer and user privacy laws.
In a major step forward for the protection of digital rights in Africa, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reached a settlement with the Nigerian government to pay a $32.8 million data privacy punishment.
In February 2025, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) levied the fine for purported violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The NDPC claims Meta processed non-users’ personal information, failed to submit required compliance audits, transferred user data overseas without authorization, and used Nigerian users’ data for behavioral advertising without their express agreement.
The settlement comes after months of court battles and is anticipated to be finalized by the end of October 2025. Meta first objected to the fine and its rationale, but has now chosen to enter into an out-of-court settlement, indicating that it is prepared to abide with Nigeria’s increasingly stringent regulations.
Meta has been instructed by the NDPC to update its privacy rules, carry out impact studies of local data protection, and gain users’ express authorization before displaying any customized advertising. The conclusion may have an impact on how global internet corporations handle user data and adhere to new data protection regulations throughout Africa.
The continent’s push for more robust digital governance and accountability is further supported by this settlement, which also shows Nigeria’s increasing assertiveness in policing multinational IT companies.
One official from the NDPC stated that the case “underscores the importance of respecting user privacy and adhering to national data protection standards.”
The impact of this agreement on Meta’s operations and data practices in Nigeria and other African markets, given the continent’s drive for digital sovereignty and user security, is still unknown.
