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President Tinubu Orders FCCPC Probe of Meta, Google, X, AI Platforms Over Alleged Exploitation of Nigerian Media Content
President Tinubu Orders FCCPC Probe of Meta, Google, X, AI Platforms Over Alleged Exploitation of Nigerian Media Content
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch an investigation into leading global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful exploitation of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
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The directive follows a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which raised concerns over the activities of major digital platforms and their impact on Nigeria’s media industry.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu.
According to the statement, the investigation will examine allegations against some of the world’s biggest technology firms, including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, and X, formerly known as Twitter, alongside certain Generative AI platforms operating within Nigeria.
The Commission said the probe is aimed at determining whether the companies have engaged in practices that undermine fair competition, exploit news content produced by Nigerian media organisations without appropriate compensation, or violate consumer protection and competition laws.
The statement partly read, “Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.
“Also to be investigated are Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria. This is in sequel to a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to FCCPC to look into a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation.”
The investigation is expected to assess the conduct of the identified companies in relation to Nigeria’s digital economy and media landscape, particularly amid growing global concerns over how technology giants and AI platforms use news content generated by publishers without adequate licensing or compensation.
The move signals the Federal Government’s increasing focus on promoting fair competition in the digital marketplace while safeguarding the interests of Nigerian media organisations and ensuring that global technology companies operating in the country comply with applicable competition and consumer protection regulations.
