President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate leading global technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet (Google), X (formerly Twitter), and selected Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms over alleged anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized use of Nigerian news content.
The directive is aimed at examining claims that the technology firms have exploited content produced by Nigerian media organisations without appropriate authorization or compensation.
According to the presidency, the investigation will also assess whether the activities of the affected companies violate Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, particularly in relation to market dominance, digital fairness, and the rights of local content creators and publishers.
The Federal Government expressed concern over the growing influence of global digital platforms in the distribution and monetisation of news, stressing the need to ensure that Nigerian publishers receive fair value for their intellectual property.
The FCCPC is expected to examine the business practices of the affected firms, including how news content is indexed, displayed, shared, and utilised by search engines, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence systems.
The investigation is also expected to consider whether the platforms have engaged in conduct capable of undermining competition within Nigeria’s digital economy or disadvantaging local media organisations.
Government officials noted that the move aligns with global efforts by several countries seeking greater accountability from major technology companies regarding the use of journalistic content and digital market practices.
The outcome of the investigation could influence future regulatory policies governing digital platforms operating in Nigeria and strengthen protections for local publishers, content creators, and consumers in the country’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
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