A Nigerian court has ordered Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, to pay $25,000 in damages to renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, after finding the tech giant liable for violating his privacy.

The ruling was delivered by a Lagos State High Court following a lawsuit filed by Falana over the circulation of a false and damaging video on Facebook that claimed he was battling a serious illness. Falana argued that the video, which spread widely on the platform, amounted to an unlawful disclosure of sensitive personal information.

In its decision, the court agreed, holding that Meta failed in its responsibility to protect users from harmful and inaccurate content. The judge ruled that publishing false medical information without consent constitutes a breach of privacy under Nigeria’s data protection laws, particularly provisions governing the handling of sensitive personal data.

Importantly, the court rejected Meta’s defense that it merely provides a platform for user-generated content. According to the ruling, Meta plays an active role in how content is distributed, promoted, and monetized through its algorithms, making it jointly responsible for harmful material published on its platform.

The judge also made it clear that Falana’s prominence as a public figure does not erase his right to privacy. Health-related information, the court said, remains private and protected regardless of a person’s public status.

In a strongly worded judgment, the court emphasized that global technology companies operating in Nigeria are expected to maintain effective content moderation systems. Given Meta’s size and resources, the failure to promptly prevent or remove harmful misinformation was described as unacceptable.

Legal observers say the decision could have broader implications for how international social media companies operate in Nigeria, especially regarding data protection, misinformation, and accountability.

Meta was represented in court by senior legal counsel, while Falana personally pursued the case as part of his long-standing advocacy for civil rights and digital accountability.

The ruling marks another significant moment in the global debate over platform responsibility and user privacy, particularly as governments worldwide continue to push for stronger regulation of big tech.