President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, to investigate Meta, Alphabet, X, and some Generative AI platforms over alleged anti-competitive practices and the unlawful use of Nigerian news content.
The directive follows a formal petition by the Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO, made up of NPAN, NUJ, BON, and GOCOP.
In a statement, the FCCPC said the investigation will determine whether the practices of the tech giants violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA, 2018 and other relevant laws.
The Commission assured that the inquiry will be independent, transparent, and evidence-based, with all parties given a fair hearing. It stressed that no presumption of guilt has been made.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the probe seeks to balance technological innovation with the protection of Nigeria’s media ecosystem and democracy.
The development mirrors a similar agreement in South Africa, where Google committed to pay local news media about $40 million annually for several years over the use of their content.
Tinubu Orders FCCPC To Probe Meta, Google, X Over Use Of Nigerian News Content
- Advertisement -
