Tinubu orders probe of Meta, Google, AI platforms over anti-competitive practices

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate global technology giants and generative artificial intelligence platforms. The probe targets allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful exploitation of content belonging to Nigerian media organizations.

This directive comes four months after President Tinubu pledged government support for the Nigerian media's campaign against Big Tech's dominance, anti-competitive activities, and the economic challenges impacting local news outlets. The investigation was initiated following a joint petition submitted to the presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, which includes prominent industry bodies like the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.

The investigation, conveyed through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, could significantly alter the relationship between international digital platforms and Nigeria's media industry. For years, local media have voiced concerns over declining revenues and the use of their content by technology companies without adequate compensation. The FCCPC's investigation will scrutinize platforms such as Meta, Alphabet (Google's parent company), X (formerly Twitter), and various generative AI platforms operating within Nigeria.

According to a statement from the FCCPC, the probe aims to address allegations of unfair market conduct that could be undermining fair competition, threatening the commercial viability of Nigerian media organizations, and infringing upon the rights of content creators and publishers. The Nigerian Press Organisation has expressed particular concern over practices by these major technology companies that they believe are detrimental to the sustainability of the country's news ecosystem and the legitimate rights of content creators.

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Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct. Also to be investigated are Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria.