National

Tinubu orders investigation of Google, Meta, X, AI Platforms over Nigerian content

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies specifically Meta, Alphabet (Google), X (formerly Twitter), and certain Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms for alleged anti-competitive practices and unlawful exploitation of Nigerian news content.

The move follows a formal petition from the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which represents key media bodies including the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The FCCPC will determine whether these practices breach the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or other relevant laws. The investigation will be independent, transparent, and evidence-based with all parties given a fair hearing. No presumptions of guilt have been made.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fairness, stating that the inquiry aims to balance technological innovation with the protection of Nigeria’s media ecosystem and democracy.

This development mirrors similar actions in South Africa, where Google agreed to pay local news media approximately $40 million annually for several years following comparable complaints.

VAM News

Recent Posts

Several feared dead as Helicopter crashes in Ondo

There was a report that a helicopter has crashed at Ebute Larada in Igbokoda, headquarters…

30 minutes ago

Osun accounts’ freeze: Gov Adeleke blames Ex- governors

Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the opposition All Progressives Congress have traded blames…

2 hours ago

Police Deploy Tactical Teams Over Osun Cult Clashes

Police deploy tactical teams over Osun cult clashes THE Osun State Police Command has deployed…

10 hours ago

Nigerian First Lady to empower over 10,000 Women

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is set to lead a major women’s mobilisation and…

1 day ago

Nigerian Nursing Students Expelled Over Viral Dance Videos

Madonna University has reportedly expelled some nursing students following a viral video in which they…

2 days ago

Bandits Give Families Of Abducted Corps Members Ransom Ultimatum

Gunmen have demanded a N1 billion ransom from the families of 20 prospective National Youth…

2 days ago