SERAP’s Ultimatum: Zuckerberg Must Pay $220 Million or Face Legal Action
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has warned Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc., demanding that he immediately pay the $220 million fine imposed on Meta by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
This fine was upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal last Friday in response to violations of Nigerian consumer, data protection, and privacy laws, as well as international human rights standards.
In its open letter dated April 26, 2025, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization has called on Zuckerberg and Meta to provide justice and effective remedies to the victims.
This includes adequate compensation, assurances of non-repetition, and an immediate halt to the violations. SERAP further urges Meta to pay the additional $35,000 awarded to the FCCPC for the cost of the investigation.
“SERAP is deeply concerned that the human rights violations found by the Tribunal may still be ongoing and could recur unless effectively addressed,” the letter reads. “The Tribunal’s ruling confirms that Meta’s operations in Nigeria have significantly violated the human rights of Nigerians and continue to hinder the enjoyment of their rights on Meta platforms.”
SERAP insists that Zuckerberg must act swiftly, ensuring transparency, accountability, and remediation by Meta.
The organization emphasized that as CEO, Zuckerberg holds the responsibility to uphold human rights due diligence and ensure that Meta’s actions do not harm Nigerians’ rights to privacy.
“SERAP urges you and Meta not to unnecessarily prolong the harms suffered by the victims by resisting the temptation to appeal the Tribunal’s judgment,” the letter warns, citing the potential for further harm if Meta fails to comply.
The Tribunal’s ruling stems from a 38-month investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta and WhatsApp’s data practices.
The letter further highlights that if Meta does not comply with these demands within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter, SERAP will take legal actions at national, regional, or international levels to enforce compliance.
In addition to demanding the payment of the fine, SERAP has called on Meta to identify the victims, provide them with justice, and offer remedies as well as compensation.
The organization also seeks assurances that such violations will not happen again. Furthermore, SERAP has asked for detailed information on Meta’s human rights due diligence steps, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Lastly, SERAP is requesting that Meta publicly disclose how it is applying these international standards in its operations in Nigeria, including the publication of transparency reports related to the Tribunal’s findings.
“Failure to address these violations swiftly and comprehensively will leave SERAP with no choice but to pursue all available legal avenues to ensure justice for the victims,” the letter concludes.
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