Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, over alleged invasion of privacy. Falana is seeking $5 million in damages, accusing the tech giant of unlawfully collecting and misusing users’ personal data without their consent.
The lawsuit, filed before a Federal High Court in Nigeria, alleges that Meta has been engaging in intrusive data harvesting practices that violate users’ rights to privacy. According to Falana, the company’s actions contravene both Nigerian and international data protection laws, including the Nigerian Data Protection Act and the constitutional right to privacy.
In his legal filing, Falana argues that Meta’s platforms systematically collect, store, and analyze users’ private communications and personal information for targeted advertising and other commercial purposes. He contends that these practices expose users to security risks, including identity theft, surveillance, and unauthorized data sharing with third parties.
“The unlawful exploitation of personal data for profit without the informed consent of users constitutes a gross violation of fundamental rights,” Falana stated in the court documents. He further urged the court to compel Meta to implement stronger privacy protections and transparency measures for Nigerian users.
The case is expected to test Nigeria’s evolving legal framework on digital rights and data privacy, particularly as concerns over big tech companies’ handling of user information continue to grow. Meta has yet to issue an official response to the lawsuit.
Legal analysts suggest that the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for digital privacy rights in Nigeria, potentially influencing future regulatory actions against tech firms operating in the country.
