FCCPC launches investigation into global technology firms following complaints of anti-competitive practices and unauthorised use of journalists’ work……
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and the unauthorised use of content produced by Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), a coalition comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The directive was conveyed to the commission through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The move is expected to intensify scrutiny of the relationship between global digital platforms and Nigeria’s media industry, which has repeatedly raised concerns over declining advertising revenue and the increasing use of its content by technology companies without compensation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the investigation would focus on the activities of technology giants including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, X (formerly Twitter), as well as several Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the commission, the companies are being investigated over allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content and other conduct that could undermine fair competition in Nigeria’s digital economy.
“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.
The FCCPC added that the inquiry follows President Tinubu’s directive to examine the petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation.
The media organisations contend that the activities of some technology firms are threatening the commercial sustainability of Nigeria’s news industry while undermining the rights of publishers and content creators.
According to the commission, publishers are increasingly concerned that digital platforms are benefiting commercially from journalistic content without establishing fair compensation arrangements.
Speaking on the planned investigation, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the commission would conduct an independent, transparent and evidence-driven inquiry.
“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 company.
“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. Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached,” he added.
According to the FCCPC, investigators will examine whether the conduct of the companies violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, or any other applicable Nigerian law.
The commission said the investigation will focus on allegations of market dominance, anti-competitive conduct and the possible abuse of dominant market positions by global technology companies operating within Nigeria.
Another major aspect of the inquiry will examine claims that copyrighted news reports, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works have been extracted, scraped, ingested or commercially utilised without authorisation to develop and train Generative AI models.
The FCCPC will also assess complaints that Nigerian publishers have not been given meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair commercial agreements or receive compensation for the use of their content.
The investigation comes amid growing international efforts to redefine the relationship between technology companies and media organisations.
Several countries have introduced regulatory frameworks requiring digital platforms to negotiate payment agreements with news publishers whose content contributes to online engagement and advertising revenues.
In South Africa, for example, interventions by the country’s Competition Commission led to an agreement under which Google committed to pay South African news organisations approximately R688 million (about $40 million) annually for between three and five years.
The Nigerian probe also follows the FCCPC’s previous enforcement action against Meta over alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including issues relating to data privacy.
The commission had imposed a $220 million penalty on the technology company, a decision that is currently being challenged on appeal.
Industry observers say the outcome of the latest investigation could shape the future of digital regulation, competition policy and content monetisation in Nigeria while redefining how global technology companies engage with local publishers.
