President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate leading global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful exploitation of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
The directive follows a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO).
In a statement issued on Monday, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the investigation would examine allegations against major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, and X, formerly Twitter, as well as certain generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the probe will focus on claims of anti-competitive practices, the unlawful use of news content, and other conduct that may constitute unfair market behaviour.
“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.
It added that the investigation into generative AI platforms was initiated following President Tinubu’s directive to the FCCPC to examine the joint petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation.
