The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has sued Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, along with its agent AT3 Resources Limited, for an alleged breach of advertisement regulations. The Nigerian government is demanding N30 billion in compensation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, ARCON declared that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued publication and exposure of various advertisements targeted at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms without proper vetting and approval is illegal and a violation of the country’s current advertising laws.
ARCON, as the agency is known, claims that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s broadcast of unscreened advertisements has cost the Federal Government revenue. ARCON is seeking N30 billion in compensation for the violation of advertising laws and for the loss of revenue resulting from unapproved adverts on Meta Platforms’ platforms.
“ARCON reiterates that it will not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space,” the group said in a statement.
The council added that it does not regulate the online media space but focuses on advertising and marketing communications on online platforms in line with its establishment Act.