JUST IN: Tinubu orders probe of Meta, Google, X, AI platforms over alleged exploitation of Nigerian media content

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful use of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.

The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the investigation will focus on global technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, X (formerly Twitter), and certain Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.

The commission said the companies are being investigated over allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content and other conduct that could undermine fair competition within Nigeria’s media industry.

“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,” the statement said.

According to the FCCPC, the probe follows a directive from President Tinubu after media stakeholders raised concerns about the growing use of their content by digital platforms without compensation.

The Nigerian Press Organisation alleged that the activities of the companies threaten the commercial viability of media organisations and infringe on the rights of content creators and publishers.

The commission noted that the investigation could mark a significant development in the relationship between global digital platforms and Nigeria’s media industry, which has repeatedly complained about declining revenues and the increasing use of its journalistic content without appropriate commercial agreements.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the commission would conduct an independent, transparent and evidence-based investigation.

“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth. Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent and consistent with Nigerian law,” Bello said.

He stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as a presumption of wrongdoing against any of the companies involved.

“This inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing. Rather, it is an opportunity to carefully examine the facts, hear from all affected parties and determine whether any conduct has resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business practices,” he added.

According to the FCCPC, investigators will examine whether the alleged practices violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, or any other applicable law.

The commission said the probe will also focus on allegations of market dominance, the unauthorised extraction and commercial use of copyrighted news articles and broadcast materials, and the use of journalistic content to develop and train Generative Artificial Intelligence models without the consent of publishers.

It will further examine complaints by Nigerian media organisations that they have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair compensation and commercial agreements for the use of their content by global technology companies.