The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja to award N30 billion against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited.
The apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, in a statement on Tuesday, said it 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.
ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to the loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
The body is seeking N30bn in sanction for violating the advertising laws and for loss of revenue due to Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms.
The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space.”
According to ARCON, the council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, its focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.
ARCON recently banned the use of foreign models and voiceover artists in any advertisement exposed in the Nigerian advertising space.
