ARCON -The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has sued Meta Platforms Incorporated owners of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court in Abuja for showing unapproved advertisements to the Nigerian audience.
The Advertising regulatory body alleged that Meta, owners of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp social media platforms continued exposure of unvetted advertisement had led to the loss of revenue to the federal government. Vetting is the process of submitting advertisement materials for a formal and thorough examination by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) prior to the granting of approval or clearance for such materials to be publicized, aired or printed on any media platform whether traditional, online or technological.
The apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem is therefore seeking N30bn in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms.
“ARCON is seeking 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.” the statement said.
ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to the loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
It reiterates that ARCON would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising in Nigeria’s advertising space.
According to ARCON, its focus is not regulating the online media space but advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment .
