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.
ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
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.”
According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, it’s focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.