FCCPC asked to investigate Google, Meta, others over harms to privacy

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) “to urgently investigate allegations that Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Amazon, and YouTube are using opaque algorithms and market dominance to undermine Nigerian media, businesses, and citizens’ rights.”

SERAP urged the FCCPC “to take measures necessary to urgently prevent further unfair market practices, algorithmic influence, consumer harm and abuses of media freedom, freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information and ensure compliance with Nigerian laws and international standards.

“To convene a public hearing into the allegations of algorithmic discrimination, market dominance, data exploitation, and consumer harm involving Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X, TikTok, Amazon and YouTube.”

In a complaint dated 28 February 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “Big technology companies operate with enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information ecosystem, yet they often escape accountability for the harms they cause.”

SERAP said, “Opaque algorithms, offshore revenue extraction, and hidden data practices allow these platforms to shape public discourse and market competition without transparency or meaningful oversight.”

The complaint addressed to the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, read in part: “Millions of Nigerians rely on these platforms for news, information, and business opportunities.

“Dominant digital platforms are acting as private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business ecosystem. Their opaque algorithms and market dominance are not just economic issues—they are human rights issues that threaten media plurality, consumer protection, and privacy, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The FCCPC ought to exercise its statutory mandate to ensure Nigerians’ rights to privacy, media freedom, fair competition, and democratic integrity. Should the FCCPC fail to act promptly, SERAP will consider all appropriate legal actions to compel regulatory intervention in the public interest.

“Investigations by the South African Competition Commission into Google revealed systematic bias against local media content, leading to remedies including algorithmic transparency, compliance monitoring, and monetary redress.”

The body said FCCPC should take similar action to protect Nigerian media, businesses, and citizens’ rights.

It pledged readiness to provide evidence, expert analysis, and recommendations to assist the commission’s inquiry.

SERAP therefore urged the FCCPC to exercise its powers and authority by:

-Initiating a full investigation into the Respondents’ alleged conduct outlined above;

-Convening a public hearing to gather evidence from affected Nigerians, including journalists, media organisations, SMEs, content creators, civil society groups, and individual consumers;

-Mandating transparency and equitable treatment of Nigerian content, including disclosure of ranking, recommendation, and advertising algorithms, with quarterly and biannual compliance reporting;

-Ensuring remedial measures for harmed media organisations, including the establishment of a compensation fund;

-Taking urgent steps to prevent ongoing consumer harm, market distortion, and violations of privacy and freedom of expression;

-Summoning persons and requiring production of documents, and applying sanctions against the Respondents as necessary and where competition or consumer and rights protection violations are found;

-Ensuring that the FCCPC retains authority to request additional data as necessary; and

-Granting any additional relief(s) the Commission considers necessary to prevent unfair market practices and ensure compliance with Nigerian competition law.