FG has been asked to probe Google, Meta, TikTok, X, and Amazon over alleged privacy harm to Nigerians.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch an urgent investigation into major global technology companies, including Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X, TikTok, Amazon, and YouTube, over allegations of anti-competitive practices, algorithmic discrimination, and consumer harm in Nigeria.
In a formal complaint dated February 28, 2026, SERAP urged the FCCPC to examine claims that the tech giants are using opaque algorithms, market dominance, and data-driven systems to undermine Nigerian media organisations, businesses, content creators, and citizens’ rights.
The organisation also called for a public hearing to gather evidence on allegations of algorithmic bias, market distortion, data exploitation, and violations of consumer rights linked to the operations of the companies.
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SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who signed the complaint addressed to FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the growing influence of global technology platforms over Nigeria’s digital economy requires greater accountability and regulatory oversight.
According to SERAP, millions of Nigerians rely on these platforms for information, communication, commerce, and business opportunities, making their practices a matter of public interest.
“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, privacy, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy,” the organisation stated.
SERAP alleged that the business models of the companies enable large-scale collection, retention, and monetisation of personal data, often through complex and unclear consent mechanisms that may interfere with users’ privacy rights.
The organisation further argued that Nigerian media companies and content creators face challenges including algorithmic suppression, reduced visibility, and revenue diversion to foreign-owned platforms, developments it said threaten media sustainability and freedom of expression.
Citing findings from investigations conducted by South Africa’s Competition Commission into Google, SERAP noted that concerns had previously been raised over the prioritisation of foreign content over local media content, resulting in measures such as algorithmic transparency requirements and financial redress mechanisms.
The group urged Nigerian regulators to consider similar interventions to protect local media organisations and ensure fair competition within the digital ecosystem.
SERAP also referenced concerns recently raised by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which reportedly accused major technology platforms of fundamentally altering Nigeria’s information environment and creating structural imbalances that threaten the sustainability of professional journalism.
According to the organisation, Nigerian news content is increasingly monetised by global platforms without corresponding reinvestment in local journalism, while algorithms controlled outside Nigeria determine which content is amplified or suppressed.
The rights group warned that the cumulative effects of data concentration, opaque content moderation systems, discriminatory algorithmic rankings, and market dominance could distort competition, restrict consumer choice, weaken democratic institutions, and affect the fairness of future elections.
It argued that such practices, if proven, could amount to violations of provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), as well as constitutional protections relating to freedom of expression, access to information, and privacy rights.
SERAP therefore called on the FCCPC to commence a full investigation into the activities of the affected technology companies, compel the disclosure of ranking, recommendation, and advertising algorithms, establish mechanisms for compensating affected media organisations, and take steps to prevent ongoing consumer harm and market distortions.
The organisation warned that it may pursue legal action if the commission fails to act, insisting that regulatory intervention is necessary to protect Nigerian consumers, media organisations, businesses, and democratic institutions from the adverse effects of unchecked digital market dominance.
