The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate allegations that major 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, SERAP asked the commission to probe global tech firms including Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X, TikTok, Amazon and YouTube.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Oluwadare.
SERAP called on 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 to ensure compliance with Nigerian laws and international standards.
The group also urged the commission to convene a public hearing to examine allegations of algorithmic discrimination, market dominance, data exploitation and consumer harm involving the companies.
In the complaint addressed to the FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, SERAP stated that big technology companies wield enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information ecosystem, yet often evade accountability.
“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 organisation said.
SERAP noted that millions of Nigerians rely on the platforms for news, information and business opportunities, describing dominant digital companies as “private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business ecosystem.”
According to the group, the alleged practices raise not only economic concerns but also serious human rights issues, threatening media plurality, consumer protection, privacy and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
It warned that failure by the FCCPC to act promptly could compel it to pursue appropriate legal action to ensure regulatory intervention in the public interest.
SERAP cited investigations by South Africa’s Competition Commission into Google, which reportedly uncovered systematic bias against local media content and resulted in measures such as algorithmic transparency, compliance monitoring and monetary redress.
The organisation further alleged that large-scale collection, retention and monetisation of Nigerians’ personal and behavioural data, often under complex consent mechanisms may be infringing on privacy rights.
It expressed concern that the cumulative effect of data concentration, opaque content moderation, discriminatory algorithmic ranking and market dominance could distort competition, harm consumers and weaken democratic institutions, particularly ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.
SERAP maintained that the alleged conduct, if established, would amount to violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and relevant constitutional and international human rights provisions.
The group therefore called on the FCCPC to launch a full investigation, convene a public hearing involving journalists, media organisations, SMEs, content creators and civil society groups, and mandate greater transparency in ranking, recommendation and advertising algorithms.
It also urged the commission to ensure remedial measures for affected media organisations, establish a compensation framework where necessary, impose sanctions where violations are found, and take all additional steps required to prevent unfair market practices and safeguard competition and consumer rights in Nigeria.
