Femi Falana Sues Meta for $5M Over Privacy Violation in False Video

Femi Falana Sues Meta for $5M Over Privacy Violation in False Video

Lagos, Nigeria – Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over an alleged violation of his privacy.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), accused the tech giant of publishing a misleading video that falsely claims he suffers from prostatitis. He argues that the publication has damaged his reputation and subjected him to public ridicule.

According to court documents filed at the Lagos High Court, Falana asserts that Meta’s platform, Facebook, featured a video under the title “AfriCare Health Centre,” falsely portraying him as someone battling a severe medical condition. His legal team, led by Olumide Babalola, argues that this action constitutes an invasion of privacy, violating Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

“The video, which contains my name, picture, and an alleged voice-over, falsely claims I have been suffering from prostatitis for over 16 years,” Falana stated in his affidavit. “This misleading information has caused me emotional distress and paints me in a false light.”

Falana further alleged that he never had any dealings with Meta or its associated pages regarding his health. He described the publication as “false, inaccurate, and unfair,” insisting that it constitutes an unjustifiable intrusion into his personal life.

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The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that Meta’s continued publication of the video infringes on his right to privacy. Falana is also requesting an order compelling Meta to remove and delete the misleading content from its platform.

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Additionally, the senior lawyer is demanding $5 million in general damages for the harm caused by the publication. He argues that Meta’s failure to verify the authenticity of the video before its publication was reckless and negligent.

“As a global platform, anything published on Facebook reaches millions of viewers worldwide. This false information has tarnished my image, subjected me to undue scrutiny, and violated my fundamental rights,” Falana said.

He emphasized that his work as a public interest lawyer and human rights advocate has made him a target of misinformation, further stressing the need for digital platforms to take responsibility for content disseminated through their channels.

Falana’s legal battle against Meta highlights growing concerns over privacy rights and misinformation in the digital age. The case is expected to set a significant precedent regarding the responsibilities of tech giants in protecting individuals from false and damaging online publications.