SERAP also urged the FCCPC to take immediate steps to prevent unfair market practices, algorithmic manipulation, consumer harm, and abuses of media freedom, freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to urgently investigate allegations that major technology companies, including 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 also urged the FCCPC to take immediate steps to prevent unfair market practices, algorithmic manipulation, consumer harm, and abuses of media freedom, freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.
The organisation emphasised the need for strict 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 February 28, 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.
“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. 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, SERAP will consider all appropriate legal actions to compel regulatory intervention in the public interest.
“Investigations by the South African Competition Commission into Google revealed systematic bias against local media content, leading to remedies including algorithmic transparency, compliance monitoring, and monetary redress.”
According to SERAP, these companies are accused of using opaque algorithms and market dominance to suppress Nigerian media, distort competition, and undermine citizens’ rights.
Concerns include large-scale collection and monetisation of personal data under unclear consent mechanisms, which may infringe on privacy rights.
The group warned that such practices could harm media freedom, limit consumer choice, weaken local journalism, and even affect the fairness of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections by influencing voter access to information.
Nigerian media organisations have also raised alarms about declining revenues, shrinking newsrooms, and reduced visibility of local content due to algorithmic bias that favors foreign platforms.
SERAP stressed that these allegations, if proven, would violate provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and international human rights standards.
It urged the FCCPC to act swiftly, convene public hearings, and ensure transparency in its inquiry to protect consumers, businesses, and democratic institutions.
SERAP, therefore, urged the FCCPC to fully exercise its authority in investigating allegations against the major technology companies.
SERAP urged the Commission to launch a comprehensive inquiry into claims that these platforms use opaque algorithms and market dominance to suppress Nigerian media, distort competition, and undermine citizens’ rights.
It recommended convening a public hearing to collect evidence from journalists, media organisations, small businesses, content creators, civil society groups, and consumers.
The organisation also asked the FCCPC to mandate transparency in algorithmic ranking, recommendation, and advertising systems, with regular compliance reporting.
It proposed remedial measures for affected media organisations, including the creation of a compensation fund, and called for sanctions where violations of competition or consumer protection laws are established.
SERAP further stressed the need for urgent action to prevent ongoing consumer harm, market distortion, and violations of privacy, freedom of expression, and media freedom.
It noted that the FCCPC has clear jurisdiction under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act to investigate and enforce compliance against practices that restrict competition or harm consumers.