Group Asks FCCPC To Probe Alleged Rights Violations Against Google, Meta, Others

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate some social media platforms and big tech firms for allegedly violating the rights of Nigerians.

SERAP accused companies such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Amazon, and YouTube of using covert algorithms and tactics to dominate the market and harm Nigerian media, businesses, and citizens’ rights.

The civil society organisation, which submitted a petition dated February 28, 2026, signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, also urged the FCCPC to hold a public hearing to gather evidence from affected Nigerians, including journalists, media groups, small businesses, content creators, civil society, and consumers.

SERAP also asked that the FCCPC take the necessary steps to prevent unfair market practices, algorithm-driven manipulation, consumer harm, and violations of media freedom, free expression, privacy, and access to information.

It further called for urgent action to ensure that Nigerian laws and international standards are adhered to and that remedies are provided to affected media, including the establishment of a compensation fund.

SERAP, in the petition addressed to FCCPC executive vice chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, asked the Commission to summon individuals, demand document production, and impose sanctions if violations of competition, consumer rights, or human rights are found.

The organisation also demanded that steps be taken to provide any other relief necessary to stop unfair market practices and uphold Nigerian competition laws.

SERAP stated that big tech firms hold enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information landscape, yet they often escape accountability for the harm they cause.

It maintained that opaque algorithms, offshore revenue streams, and hidden data practices enable these platforms to influence public discourse and market competition without transparency or oversight.

The civil society organisation further claimed that dominant digital platforms act as private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business environment.

It is alleged that their secretive algorithms and market power are not only economic but also human rights issues threatening media plurality, consumer protection, privacy, and Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

“The FCCPC must use its legal powers to protect Nigerians’ rights to privacy, media freedom, fair competition, and democracy. If the FCCPC fails to act quickly, SERAP will consider legal actions to press for regulatory intervention in the public interest.

“Investigation by the South African Competition Commission into Google revealed systematic bias against local media content, leading to measures such as algorithmic transparency, compliance oversight, and monetary redress.

“The Federal High Court has upheld the FCCPC’s investigations into telecom pricing and competition conduct, highlighting the Commission’s authority under sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA.

“Our information indicates that the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) recently raised concerns about the control of the information landscape by large tech firms, which have “fundamentally altered Nigeria’s information environment.

“The NPO claims these tech activities have ‘created a structural imbalance of power that now endangers the sustainability of professional journalism—the backbone of informed citizenship and accountable governance.

“Specifically, the NPO alleges that: a) algorithms controlled outside Nigeria influence what Nigerians see, prioritise, or ignore; b) Nigerian news is monetised on a large scale without fair reinvestment in local journalism; and c) revenue once supporting domestic newsrooms is increasingly siphoned offshore.

“By controlling algorithms, advertising, and distribution channels, these companies influence market competition and consumer choices in Nigeria, warranting FCCPC intervention,” it stated.