Key facts
- Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into major technology companies.
- The probe will be conducted by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
- Allegations include anti-competitive practices and unauthorized use of news content.
- Generative AI platforms are also under scrutiny for using journalistic material.
- The investigation follows a complaint from the Nigerian Press Organisation.
- Similar regulatory actions have occurred in South Africa, France, Australia, and Canada.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major technology companies over alleged anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized use of news content. The inquiry, initiated following a complaint by the Nigerian Press Organisation, will examine allegations against companies including Meta, Alphabet, and X, as well as generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in the country.
The investigation aims to address concerns about market dominance, anti-competitive conduct, and the unauthorized extraction or commercial use of copyrighted news and broadcast content. It will also scrutinize the use of journalistic material to train generative AI models. The FCCPC emphasized that the investigation does not presume wrongdoing and that all parties will have an opportunity to present their case.
This move positions Nigeria to test its regulatory capabilities concerning global digital platforms that have reshaped news distribution and monetization. Regulators worldwide have been examining whether large tech companies should compensate publishers for content used for user attraction, AI training, or advertising revenue. South Africa recently secured concessions from Google and YouTube, including a media support package. France fined Google in 2021 for negotiation failures with publishers, and Australia and Canada have implemented frameworks leading to payment agreements between tech firms and publishers.