The Federal Government has sued Meta Platforms Incorporated, the owners of Social Media Platforms, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and its agent, AT3 Resources Limited at a Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, the regulatory body for the advertising ecosystem is seeking a declaration, among other things, 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.
The regulatory body in a statement on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022, stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
ARCON is, therefore, seeking the sum of 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 its platforms.
“ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”
According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, its focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.
