SERAP tells FCCPC to investigate Google, Meta, others over harms to privacy, media, consumers, democracy
Publish Date: 2026-03-01 13:13:00
Source Domain: realnewsmagazine.net
Business
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.”
SERAP also urged the FCCPC “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….
