ARCON Granted Leave to Serve Facebook Owner with Writ of Summons Over Advertising Law Violation

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has received approval from the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to serve a writ of summons on Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp social media platforms, for violating Nigeria's advertising laws. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the writ will be served at Meta's corporate headquarters.

In the ongoing N30 billion lawsuit, ARCON is the plaintiff, while Meta and AT3 Resources Limited are defendants. ARCON is seeking an order of perpetual injunction, which restrains Meta and its associates from publishing any form of advertising or marketing communications materials without prior approval from its advertising standards panel, in compliance with Nigerian laws. ARCON claimed that publishing such campaigns is illegal and disrespects Nigerian culture, constitutional tenets, moral values and citizens' religious sensitivity.

Furthermore, the regulatory body is seeking N30 billion in compensation and sanctions from Meta for its continued violation of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022. ARCON alleged that the social media giant had ignored advertising laws intended to shape the ethical principles and standards of the advertising industry by running unapproved campaigns.

The landscape of the advertising industry is constantly evolving, with the increasing use of social media platforms to drive campaigns. Therefore, it remains imperative that players in the industry remain vigilant in adopting ethical advertising practices that uphold the laws of every jurisdiction where they operate. Meta and other social media companies should take steps necessary to ensure that they operate within the various legal frameworks set in place to protect consumers' interests.