The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria ( ARCON) has instituted a lawsuit against Meta incorporated, owners of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
The suit was made known in a statement on Tuesday by ARCON which noted that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising in Nigeria’s advertising space.
Consequently, ARCON is seeking N30 billion for the violation of Nigeria’s advertising laws and for revenue loss as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms.
“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.
What ARCON is saying
– According to ARCON, it is regulating advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act and not the online media space.
– ARCON is also seeking “A declaration “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 same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria”.
– “ARCON is seeking N30b 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 Nigeria’s advertising space.
– “ARCON further states that it is not regulating the online media space but rather advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.” the statement reads.
