Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has taken Meta Inc. to court, filing a $5 million lawsuit over an alleged invasion of his privacy. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) accused the United States based social media giant of publishing false medical claims about him.
Falana, known for his fearless legal battles, discovered a video on Meta’s Facebook platform under a page named “AfriCare Health Centre.” The video falsely claimed he had suffered from prostatitis for 16 years, detailing an alleged struggle with the disease that he outright denies. Outraged, he described the post as misleading, offensive, and a deliberate violation of his fundamental right to privacy under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
“Meta has recklessly published false information about me, using my name and image without my consent,” Falana stated in court filings. “This is a direct attack on my privacy, my reputation, and the integrity I have built over decades.”
He is demanding that the Lagos High Court order Meta to remove the video immediately and compensate him for the damage done to his public image. He argues that the tech giant’s negligence has subjected him to emotional distress, anxiety, and potential reputational harm. Femi Falana isn’t the only one caught in the web of social media misinformation. Just recently, iNaijanow shared a video of Peculiar, the pepper soup girl, who was falsely accused and dragged online for allegedly killing her boyfriend and four others.
Falana’s Legal Legacy of Defending Human Rights
This lawsuit is far from Falana’s first high-profile legal battle. The Nigerian legal icon has spent decades challenging oppressive regimes and defending those whose rights have been trampled.
In the early 2000s, Falana secured victories for journalists facing sedition charges, reinforcing Nigeria’s freedom of expression laws. His legal acumen shone at the ECOWAS Court, where he won landmark cases for Gambian journalists Musah Saidykhan and Chief Ebrima Manneh, both victims of government crackdowns on press freedom.
His fight for justice didn’t stop there. In the historic Gani Fawehinmi v. Abacha case, Falana and his mentor, Gani Fawehinmi, stood against Nigeria’s brutal military dictatorship, challenging human rights abuses under General Sani Abacha. Falana’s recent legal showdown before this was when he sued popular social critic VeryDarkMan, over defamation of character.
Meta’s History of Lawsuits on Privacy Violations
Falana’s lawsuit piles onto Meta’s already extensive history of privacy violations and legal troubles. The tech company has faced billion-dollar fines and lawsuits worldwide over data breaches, deceptive practices, and unauthorized tracking.
In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how Meta allowed a political consulting firm to harvest data from 87 million users without consent, influencing elections globally. After years of legal battles, the company agreed to a $725 million settlement in 2022.
A year later, in 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Meta a staggering $5 billion for misleading users about their control over personal data, one of the largest privacy penalties in history.
Will This Be the Beginning of Stricter Digital Privacy Laws in Nigeria?
Falana’s lawsuit against Meta shines the light on the unchecked power of tech companies and their responsibility to protect user data. With social media platforms influencing public perception and political discourse, the ability to spread misinformation, intentionally or through negligence, has serious consequences.
Legal experts argue that this case could set a precedent in Nigeria’s data protection, reinforcing the country’s regulatory push for stricter digital privacy laws. If Falana succeeds, it could encourage more lawsuits against tech firms that violate user rights.
For now, all eyes are on the Lagos High Court as it prepares to hear a case that could challenge Meta’s dominance and redefine privacy protections in Nigeria and beyond.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information. Abisola Ige is a seasoned content writer with experience in crafting engaging and quality articles across various niches. She is passionate about creating impactful content that informs and inspires readers.
