FG Sues Facebook, WhatsApp Owners, Demands N30bn Compensation

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

The federal government has filed a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, as well as its agent, AT3 Resources Limited for publishing unvetted advertisements.

This is even as the government demanded N30bn as compensation for the revenue loss accrued to the treasury over what it described as illegal, unlawful and violation of extant advertising laws in Nigeria.

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) instituted the case on behalf of the federal government yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

The apex advertising agency in a statement titled, 'ARCON Sues Meta Platforms Incorporated, Seeks N30b in Sanction and Penalties', said that the advertisements on Meta platforms in the Nigerian markets were not vetted and approved by the federal government.

ARCON vowed to stop the unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space, emanating from the platforms owned by the Social Media guru, Mark Zuckerberg.

The statement reads, "The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has instituted a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division. "

“ARCON is seeking declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria."

“ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts has also led to a loss of revenue to the federal government."

“ARCON is seeking N30b in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms."

“ARCON reiterate that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space."

“ARCON further stated that it’s not regulating the online media space but rather advertisement, advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act", it concluded.

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