JUST IN: Federal Government Sues Meta, Seeks N30bn Penalty For Exposure Of Unvetted Adverts, Loss Of Revenue

The Federal Government, through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has sued Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms and it’s agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by ARCON.

Why FG Is Suing Meta

ARCON, which is Nigeria’s apex regulatory body for the country’s advertising ecosystem, in the statement, said it is seeking a 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 the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the federal government has lost revenue due to Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts.

As a result of these, the statement added that ARCON is seeking N30bn 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 it’s platforms.

The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”

ARCON clarified that it is not regulating the online space, but it is only focused on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.

Meta is yet to respond or react to the suit at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily had reported that Nigerians will pay 7.5% VAT on Facebook and Instagram adverts from January.