In a landmark ruling on September 28, 2026, Justice O. E. Omatsuli of the High Court of Delta State dismissed a N29.3 billion ($25 million) privacy lawsuit filed against Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The case was brought forth by a group of Delta residents who alleged that the social media giant had violated their privacy rights. According to Premium Times Nigeria, the plaintiffs claimed that Meta’s collection and use of their personal data without consent constituted a breach of their fundamental human rights. However, Justice Omatsuli ruled in favor of Meta, stating that the company’s terms of service were clearly outlined and accepted by the users, thereby implying consent for the collection and use of their data. This ruling is significant as it sets a precedent for future privacy lawsuits against tech companies operating in Nigeria. It serves as a reminder to internet users to carefully read and understand the terms of service before agreeing to them. The dismissal of this lawsuit comes at a time when concerns over digital privacy are growing globally, with increasing incidents of data breaches and cyber attacks.
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