The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to urgently investigate leading global technology firms over alleged violations of consumer rights, media freedom and fair competition in Nigeria.
In a petition dated February 28, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the FCCPC to probe Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X, TikTok, Amazon and YouTube over what it described as “opaque algorithms, offshore revenue extraction and hidden data practices” allegedly undermining Nigerian media organisations, businesses and citizens’ rights.
The organisation asked the Commission to take immediate steps to halt what it termed unfair market practices, algorithmic manipulation, consumer harm and violations of privacy, freedom of expression and access to information.
SERAP further demanded that the FCCPC convene a public hearing to investigate allegations of algorithmic discrimination, abuse of market dominance and data exploitation by the companies, whose platforms it said wield enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information ecosystem.
According to the group, dominant digital platforms now function as private gatekeepers, shaping public discourse and market competition without adequate transparency or regulatory oversight.
“Millions of Nigerians rely on these platforms for news, information and business opportunities.
Their opaque algorithms and market dominance are not just economic concerns — they raise serious human rights implications for media plurality, consumer protection, privacy and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy,” the petition stated.
SERAP warned that failure by the FCCPC to act promptly could compel it to pursue legal action to enforce regulatory intervention in the public interest.
The organisation referenced findings by the South African Competition Commission against Google, which reportedly uncovered systemic bias against local media content and led to remedial measures, including enhanced algorithmic transparency and monetary redress. It urged the FCCPC to adopt similar measures to safeguard Nigerian media and businesses.
The group alleged that large-scale collection and monetisation of Nigerians’ personal and behavioural data under complex consent frameworks interfere with the constitutional right to privacy.
It expressed concern that Nigerian media companies and content creators face algorithmic suppression, reduced visibility and revenue diversion to foreign platforms, weakening local journalism and shrinking advertising income.
SERAP argued that such practices, if established, would amount to violations of Sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), as well as provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The petition also cited concerns raised by the Nigerian Press Organisation over what it described as structural imbalances created by global tech platforms, including the monetisation of Nigerian news content without proportional reinvestment in local journalism and the extraction of revenues offshore.
According to SERAP, the cumulative impact of data concentration, opaque content moderation systems, discriminatory ranking mechanisms and control of digital advertising markets substantially distorts competition, harms consumers and threatens democratic accountability — particularly ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.
Among other recommendations, SERAP urged the FCCPC to launch a full-scale investigation, mandate transparency in ranking and recommendation systems, establish a compensation mechanism for affected media organisations, summon relevant persons and documents, and impose sanctions where violations are established.
The group maintained that convening a public hearing would strengthen regulatory transparency, promote public trust and enable journalists, media organisations, small businesses, civil society groups and consumers to provide evidence to support the inquiry.
“Prompt regulatory intervention is essential to ensure a fair and competitive digital ecosystem, protect consumers’ rights and uphold media freedom as guaranteed under Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution,” the petition added.
