The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to “urgently investigate allegations” that major international technology companies are undermining Nigerian media, businesses and citizens’ rights through opaque algorithms and market dominance.
In a complaint dated February 28, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, cited by TVC News on Sunday, SERAP charged the FCCPC to probe Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Amazon and YouTube.
According to the statement, the rights group urges FCCPC to take necessary measures to prevent further unfair market practices, algorithmic influence and to improved sustained media freedom, and ensuring compliance with Nigerian laws and international standards.
The statement reads, “We’ve urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission @fccpcnigeria 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.
“We have also urged @fccpcnigeria 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.”
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SERAP further argued that the giant technology companies operate with enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information ecosystem, stressing that they often escape accountability for the harms they cause.
The statement added, “Opaque algorithms, offshore revenue extraction, and hidden data practices allow these platforms to shape public discourse and market competition without transparency or meaningful oversight.
“Dominant digital platforms are acting as private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business ecosystem. Their opaque algorithms and market dominance are not just economic issues — they are human rights issues that threaten media plurality, consumer protection, and privacy, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.”
“The FCCPC ought to exercise its statutory mandate to ensure Nigerians’ rights to privacy, media freedom, fair competition, and democratic integrity. Should the FCCPC fail to act promptly, we will consider all appropriate legal actions to compel regulatory intervention in the public interest,” the statement concluded.
