Nigeria sues Meta Platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp for illegal exposure of adverts

The owners of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta Platforms Incorporated, and its representative AT3 Resources Limited are the target of a lawsuit filed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria at the Federal High Court’s Abuja Judicial Division.

The top regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem said in a statement on Tuesday that ARCON is seeking a declaration, among other things, that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued publication and exposure of various advertisements targeted at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms without making sure they are vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful, and a violation of the country’s current advertising laws.

According to ARCON, Meta Platforms Incorporated’s ongoing broadcast of unscreened advertisements has cost the Federal Government money.

As a result of Meta Incorporated’s ongoing exposure of prohibited advertisements on its platforms, ARCON is requesting N30 billion in sanctions for the violation of the advertising regulations and for lost income.

“ARCON reiterates that it will not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising in the Nigerian advertising space,” the statement said in part.

The Council, according to ARCON, does not control the online media landscape. Instead, in accordance with its formation Act, it focuses on advertising and marketing communications on online platforms.