MTN Nigeria has announced a public inquest scheduled for June 6, 2026, in which the mechanics of mobile data delivery, a subject that has fuelled persistent consumer frustration and regulatory scrutiny, will be subjected to structured, adversarial examination before a live national audience.

The context matters. Nigeria’s mobile internet subscriber base crossed 153.2 million in Q1 2026, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), operating within an ecosystem where data traffic has grown exponentially. Yet subscriber trust has not kept pace with subscriber numbers.

Complaints about data depletion, speed inconsistencies, and opaque billing have remained a stubborn feature of the consumer experience, a gap between what networks advertise and what users believe they receive.

MTN’s response to that credibility deficit is structurally unusual. Rather than the standard combination of press releases and technical explainers, the operator is staging what it describes as a courtroom-style proceeding, with defined prosecution and defence teams, live evidence, and independent verification.

The design of the prosecution side is particularly notable. MTN is not selecting its questioners. Instead, it is partnering with independent media channels to allow Nigerians to vote for a five-member prosecution team drawn from technology creators and consumer advocates, figures the public, not the company, deems credible.

Those selected will be granted autonomous cross-examination rights over MTN’s technical executives, network engineers, and third-party mobile hardware specialists who will form the defence.

To address the obvious risk of a process that looks independent but isn’t, MTN has brought in KPMG to independently verify every diagnostic tool and backend demonstration utility used during the session. That decision is significant.

KPMG’s involvement raises the accountability stakes considerably and narrows the room for the kind of selective data presentation that has previously undermined corporate-led transparency exercises in the sector.

The entire proceeding will be streamed live across television, YouTube, Facebook, X, and TikTok, a distribution footprint that signals MTN is not treating this as an industry event but as a national public conversation.

What makes the initiative analytically interesting is what it reveals about the current state of the telco-consumer relationship in Nigeria.

The very existence of a format this elaborate, prosecution teams, independent auditors, live streaming, suggests that conventional communication has failed to close the trust gap. Operators have explained, demonstrated, and published. Subscribers remain sceptical.

The inquest format is, in essence, an admission that the burden of proof now requires a different standard of evidence.

Whether the June 6 event delivers on that standard will depend on execution. The selection process for the prosecution team, the quality of evidence tabled by both sides, and the degree to which KPMG’s verification role is genuinely independent rather than ceremonial will determine whether this becomes a replicable model for consumer accountability in African telecoms, or a well-produced exercise that changes little.

The venue is yet to be confirmed. The question it is trying to answer, however, has been on the table for years.

The company said on Tuesday it will apply its latest detection tools in 27 European Union countries and also bring the system to Facebook in the US for the first time, with the UK and EU rollout on that platform set to follow in June.

This builds on earlier work to identify teenagers even when they enter false birth dates. Meta has been testing systems that flag accounts it believes belong to younger users and then apply stricter settings automatically.

“This technology will be expanded to 27 countries in the European Union. Meta is also expanding this technology to Facebook in the United States for the first time, with the UK and EU to follow in June,” the company said in a blog post.

Pressure has been growing on technology firms to show how they protect young users. Regulators and parents have complained about harmful content, online abuse and the effect of social media on teenagers.

Meta says it now relies more on artificial intelligence to assess whether an account belongs to a minor. The system does not depend only on the date of birth entered by users. Instead, it reviews activity across profiles.

That includes posts, comments, captions and other signals. For example, references to school life or birthday celebrations may point to a younger age. The company has also added visual analysis, allowing its systems to review images and videos for general age cues.

Meta stressed that the technology is not facial recognition, saying the system looks at broad features, not identity.

If an account is judged to be underage, it may be deactivated, while the user would then need to prove their age to restore access. Meta is also trying to stop repeat attempts by users it believes are below the minimum age.

At the same time, Meta is expanding its “Teen Account” settings. These place limits on who can contact younger users and the type of content they see. Accounts suspected to belong to teenagers are moved into these settings by default.

The company further revealed it has already enrolled hundreds of millions of users into these protections across Instagram, Facebook and Messenger since 2024.

For parents, Meta will begin sending notifications in the US with guidance on how to check a teenager’s age settings. The messages will include advice on discussing honest age reporting online.

“We’re continuing to strengthen our underage enforcement measures by using AI to remove people under 13 from our services.”

Meta added that age verification is an industry problem. It said app stores should take a stronger role by confirming users’ ages and sharing that information with developers.

Driving its own systems, Meta plans to expand the technology further this year, aiming for more global coverage.

That’s what OneDosh is solving.

Following a series of real-world tests, OneDosh has confirmed that creators can now receive payouts from platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube (AdSense), and Instagram brand deals directly into their OneDosh accounts without the usual friction that comes with cross-border payments.

Instead of navigating multiple platforms, accounts, and delays, creators can now receive and manage their earnings in one place.

“Creators today are global by default, but the systems they rely on to get paid haven’t caught up,” said Jackson Ukuevo, Co-founder of OneDosh. “This is about making sure that when you earn, you can actually access your money simply and without delays.”

With OneDosh, creators are able to:

• Receive payouts from platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube AdSense, and Instagram partnerships
• Manage their earnings in a single wallet
• Fund and spend globally without needing multiple accounts
• Enjoy reliable, secure, and fast transactions with no hassle

Rather than introducing a new system, OneDosh fits into how creators already earn, removing the friction between earning and accessing money.

As more creators build audiences across platforms and borders, the ability to receive payments easily is becoming just as important as the ability to earn.

This update positions OneDosh as part of that shift, simplifying how creators access and use their income, no matter where it comes from.

OneDosh is a cross-border payments platform that enables users to send, receive, and spend money across countries through a single app and card, with a focus on simplicity, reliability, and global accessibility.

The move marks a significant step in the company’s broader strategy to embed AI deeper into its ecosystem, aiming to improve user experience while tackling growing concerns around online safety, scams, and harmful content.

AI Support Assistant Goes Global

At the centre of the rollout is the Meta AI support assistant, a virtual tool designed to provide users with 24/7 help for account-related issues.

The assistant can guide users through tasks such as password recovery, account security checks, and profile settings, eliminating the need for manual support in many cases.

The company said the assistant is now being deployed across regions where Meta AI is available, including within mobile apps and desktop help centres. This signals a shift toward automated, always-on customer support at scale.

Industry observers note that this could significantly reduce response times and operational costs, while also improving accessibility for users in emerging markets.

AI to Strengthen Content Moderation

Beyond customer support, Meta is also investing heavily in AI-driven content enforcement. The company plans to deploy advanced systems capable of identifying and removing harmful content, particularly scams, illegal activities, and other severe violations, more quickly and accurately.

According to Meta, these systems are designed to:

• Detect harmful content earlier
• Reduce exposure to scams and fraud
• Minimise errors associated with over-enforcement

Early tests suggest AI can significantly outperform traditional moderation in certain areas. For instance, internal systems have shown improved detection rates and reduced error margins in identifying problematic content.

Balancing Automation with Human Oversight

Despite the growing role of AI, Meta emphasised that human reviewers will remain part of the moderation process. AI systems are expected to handle repetitive and large-scale tasks, while human experts focus on more complex and sensitive decisions.

This hybrid approach reflects a broader industry trend, where companies are combining machine efficiency with human judgment to improve trust and accountability.

Responding to Rising Digital Threats

The rollout comes at a time when digital platforms are facing increasing pressure to combat misinformation, scams, and identity fraud. As online threats become more sophisticated, often powered by AI themselves, platforms are being forced to upgrade their defence mechanisms.

Meta’s new tools are part of a long-term plan to transform how safety is managed across its platforms. The company indicated that more advanced AI systems will be introduced over the coming years to further strengthen enforcement and user protection.

Business and User Impact

Beyond safety, the initiative is expected to drive broader engagement across Meta’s apps. Improved user experience and trust could translate into higher activity levels, an important factor for a company that generates the majority of its revenue from advertising.

For users, the benefits are immediate:

• Faster access to support
• Improved account security
• Reduced exposure to harmful content

For businesses and advertisers, enhanced platform integrity could create a safer environment for digital interactions and transactions.

The Bigger Picture: AI at the Core of Meta’s Future

The rollout underscores Meta’s ambition to position AI as a central pillar of its operations—from customer service to content moderation and beyond.

As competition intensifies in the global AI race, the company is increasingly leveraging its scale to deploy intelligent systems across billions of users worldwide.

However, the expansion also raises important questions around AI reliability, data privacy, and governance, issues that will continue to shape the next phase of digital platform evolution.

Meta’s latest AI-driven support and safety tools represent a significant evolution in how digital platforms manage user experience and online risks. By combining automation with human oversight, the company is aiming to create a safer, more responsive environment across its apps.

As AI continues to redefine the internet, Meta’s approach offers a glimpse into the future of platform governance, where intelligent systems play a central role in keeping users informed, protected, and connected.

The summit will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The African Creators Summit (ACS) is one of Africa’s leading gatherings for creators, storytellers, innovators and digital entrepreneurs.

This year’s summ]it theme, ‘Building a Sustainable Ecosystem Where Africa Trades Its Swag’, aligns with Facebook’s focus to empowering creators with tools that support monetisation, audience reach, discovery and community building.

“We are dedicated to empowering creators in the communities they’re already active in so they can succeed and grow on Facebook while sharing original and engaging content,” said Oluwasola Obagbemi, head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta. “Events like the African Creators Summit, which bring together creators, storytellers and innovators, provide a platform to demonstrate that Facebook is all about connecting people. We are excited to showcase the opportunities Facebook offers to reach a massive global audience, connect more deeply with real people and earn real money across all content formats.”

The event will bring together creators, young adults and Nigerian celebrities to connect, collaborate and create memorable moments at the Facebook-themed booth.

Attendees will engage in interactive experiences that highlight authentic connection, community-building and the power of real relationships on Facebook, reinforcing the platform’s role as the largest network for meaningful connections across Africa.

“Creators are the teachers and architects of modern culture. What they build today becomes the standard tomorrow, shaping how we dress, how we think and how we show up in the world. That is why we introduced the African Creators Summit: to create the bridge between creators, businesses, platforms, policymakers and partners across Africa, so we can truly understand each other and build together. Facebook’s continued support of ACS reflects a long-standing belief in creators, their stories, their businesses and their power to drive global impact from Africa. It’s a clear commitment to creativity as a catalyst for cultural influence and economic growth,” Oladapo Adewunmi, convener African Creators Summit.

Over the years, Facebook has evolved to meet changing needs by building strong experiences across Groups, Video and Marketplace.

With the African Creators Summit positioned not just as an event but as a catalyst powering a diverse, inclusive and future-focused Pan-African creative ecosystem, Facebook continues to power creativity and connection across the creator community.

Filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on St Croix, the case claims Meta knowingly allows harmful and fraudulent adverts to circulate because they boost engagement and profits. 

This is the first time a territorial attorney general has moved directly against the company over these issues.

“Meta knowingly and intentionally exposes its users to fraud and harm. It does so to maximise user engagement and, in turn, its revenue,” the lawsuit states.

At the heart of the case is reporting that revealed Meta internally expected around 10% of its 2024 revenue, roughly $16 billion, to come from scam ads, illegal gambling and banned products. 

The same reporting showed that advertisers suspected of fraud were not blocked unless Meta’s internal systems reached a 95% certainty threshold, allowing many harmful ads to remain live.

Two U.S. senators urged the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to step in and investigate the company’s advertising practices, calling for strong enforcement where needed. That now appears to be spilling beyond Washington and into the courts.

Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea said the lawsuit “marks the first effort by an attorney general to address reports of rampant fraud and scams on Meta’s platforms.” 

The case seeks penalties under local consumer protection laws and accuses Meta of misleading users, parents and regulators about how safe its platforms really are.

“Meta repeatedly touts the ‘safety’ of its platforms to its users, parents, regulators, and Congress,” the lawsuit states. “Meta consistently, and intentionally, fails to implement the policies it writes.”

More than 42 U.S. state attorneys general have already sued Meta over assertions that it has failed to shield young users from harmful content. The Virgin Islands case builds on that and could open the door for other territories to follow suit.

Child safety is a major theme. Earlier reporting also revealed complaints about internal guidelines governing Meta’s automated systems, which allowed them to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.” 

Meta later said it removed those sections, but the lawsuit argues that the company’s public assurances do not match its internal practices.

Meta responded with spokesman Andy Stone dismissing the accusations and pointing to earlier company statements rejecting the allegations.

“We aggressively fight fraud and scams because people on our platforms don’t want this content, legitimate advertisers don’t want it and we don’t want it either,” he said. He added that reports of scams from users have fallen by half over the past 18 months.

On youth protection, Stone was equally firm. “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” he said.

Released on International Human Rights Day, the research exposes deep systemic failures, weak accountability, and unsafe online spaces driving a rapidly escalating epidemic across Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

PIN recognises that this gap limits both the understanding of TFGBV and the development of effective solutions. In response, this study adopts a survivor-centred approach that reframes how TFGBV is researched, discussed, and addressed.

By prioritising survivors’ perspectives, the research uncovers the emotional, social, and systemic dimensions of digital violence that formal reports and statistics often obscure.

It also interrogates how survivors navigate reporting systems, access justice, and play an informed role in digital spaces that are frequently hostile or unsafe.

A key finding of the study is that young people are disproportionately affected, with those aged 18–34 constituting the vast majority of survivors.

Most incidents of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence occurred on Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter), underscoring how mainstream social media platforms continue to function as structurally unsafe spaces for many users, particularly women, activists, and advocates.

“Victims’ experiences range from sexual harassment, threats, and misogynistic attacks to severe violations such as stalking, non-consensual image sharing, hacking, sextortion, and identity-based harassment,” the report notes. “Personal testimonies reveal profound emotional, psychological, and reputational harm.”

The study also highlights that formal systems such as the police, employers, and public institutions, remain underutilised, largely due to fear, mistrust, or an expectation of inaction.

While the findings expose wide-ranging gaps across platforms, institutions, and legal frameworks, they also highlight survivors’ resilience and their continued efforts to seek safer digital environments.

In light of these findings, PIN calls for urgent action to make online spaces safer for everyone, in line with this year’s Human Rights Day theme, “Human Rights, our everyday essentials.”

Addressing these systemic gaps is critical to advancing democratic engagement, promoting media pluralism, fostering digital inclusion, and achieving gender equality across Africa.

The report can be found here.

This experience highlighted how more young adults are using Facebook to discover new interests, express themselves, and connect with the world around them, while also showcasing the Facebook tools that empower creators to engage meaningfully with their audiences and grow their passions into opportunities.

“Facebook is a leading place for conversations around cultural moments, not just here in Nigeria but across the globe. Events like Lagos Fashion Week highlight how our platform brings people together to celebrate creativity, culture and community in real time,” said Oluwasola Obagbemi, head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa, at Meta “We’re inspired by how young adults in Nigeria are using Facebook tools like Marketplace, where fashion has become the largest category on Facebook Marketplace in Nigeria, along with Reels and Groups to express themselves, build communities, and turn their passions into opportunities. We’ll continue to introduce features that help people explore their interests and connect more deeply with others.”

Throughout the three-day experience, Joseph Onaolapo (Jay On-Air), media presenter and content creator and fashion creator, Nonye Udeogu (Thisthingcalledfashion), hosted live interviews and social moments from the Lounge, giving audiences an authentic look at how creators use tools like Groups, Reels and Meta AI to build meaningful connections and thriving communities on Facebook.

The Facebook Lounge was an interactive space where Nigerian celebrities, creators and fashion enthusiasts gathered to relax, connect and create memorable moments.

Guests enjoyed interactive photo sessions, Facebook-themed games and the engaging Reels Booth, where attendees captured short-form videos that reflected the creativity and energy of Lagos Fashion Week.

Facebook remains committed to empowering people to explore their interests, build community and connect with the world in more meaningful ways.

The tech giant, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reported revenue of $51.24 billion for the third quarter of 2025, a 26% increase from a year earlier and above Wall Street’s expectations. 

But costs rose faster, climbing 32%, and a $15.93 billion charge linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” slashed net income to $2.71 billion. Without that charge, Meta’s adjusted earnings would have been $18.64 billion.

Despite the strong revenue growth, Meta’s shares dropped 8% in after-hours trading as investors reacted to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to scale up spending on AI infrastructure, a move that could pressure profit margins in the near term.

Zuckerberg told analysts that Meta intends to “aggressively front-load building capacity,” arguing that it’s the right strategy to be ready for faster-than-expected breakthroughs in AI.

“There’s a range of timelines for when people think that we’re going to get superintelligence,” he said. “I think that it’s the right strategy to aggressively front-load building capacity, so that way we’re prepared for the most optimistic cases.”

The company has launched an initiative called Meta Superintelligence Labs, formed in June, to drive its AI goals. Zuckerberg said the unit already has “the highest talent density in the industry,” and Meta is among the top buyers of Nvidia’s sought-after AI chips. “We’re also building what we expect to be an industry-leading amount of compute,” he added.

Meta company now expects to spend between $70 billion and $72 billion this year, up from an earlier estimate of $66 billion to $72 billion, and says next year’s capital expenditure will be “notably larger.” 

Much of this increase will go toward expanding data centre capacity and hiring AI specialists, according to CFO Susan Li, who confirmed employee compensation will be a key cost driver in 2026.

Meta’s aggressive approach comes as Big Tech firms like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and OpenAI are all scaling up their compute capabilities to support advanced AI models. 

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, said earlier this week that he hopes the company will one day be able to “add 1 gigawatt of compute every week,” and that could cost upwards of $40 billion per gigawatt.

This ballooning investment across the tech sector has led to talks of a possible “AI bubble,” with analysts warning that spending may outpace returns. “Meta’s earnings reveal the growing tension between the company’s massive AI infrastructure investments and investor expectations for near-term returns,” said Jesse Cohen, senior analyst at Investing.com.

Still, Meta’s core business stays strong. Its AI-driven advertising systems are performing well, with tools that automate campaigns, create persona-based images, and enhance video ad quality for over 3.5 billion daily users across its platforms. 

The company’s expanding ad offerings on WhatsApp and Threads, and sustained growth in Instagram Reels, have strengthened its competitiveness with the likes of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Elon Musk’s X.

“While everyone else is still pitching AI moonshots, Meta has quietly turned AI into margin,” said Jeremy Goldman, senior director at Emarketer. “Its ad tools are sharper, its targeting smarter, and its short-form video business is finally paying off.”

For the fourth quarter, Meta expects revenue between $56 billion and $59 billion, slightly above analysts’ projections.

In its preliminary findings released on Friday, the Commission said Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok may have placed “burdensome procedures and tools” that make it difficult for independent researchers to examine how these platforms influence public life, health, and safety. 

It described such access as “an essential transparency obligation under the DSA, as it provides public scrutiny into the potential impact of platforms on our physical and mental health.”

Meta and TikTok both denied wrongdoing; a Meta spokesperson told Reuters, “We have introduced changes to our content reporting options, appeals process, and data access tools since the DSA came into force and are confident that these solutions match what is required under the law in the EU.” 

TikTok, however, maintained that while it supports transparency, regulatory overlaps complicate compliance. “But requirements to ease data safeguards place the DSA and GDPR in direct tension,” a company spokesperson said. 

“If it is not possible to fully comply with both, we urge regulators to provide clarity on how these obligations should be reconciled.”

The DSA, which came fully into effect in August 2023, imposes strict obligations on “Very Large Online Platforms” such as Meta and TikTok. These platforms are expected to give researchers access to public data, allow users to report illegal content like hate speech or terrorism, and disclose how their algorithms make content recommendations.

The Commission said Meta’s Facebook and Instagram failed to offer a “user-friendly and easily accessible” system for flagging harmful content, including child sexual abuse and terrorist material. It also accused Meta of using “deceptive interface designs” that could confuse or discourage users from reporting such posts. 

TikTok’s data-sharing framework was similarly criticised for being unreliable and incomplete, limiting research into online harms.

If these violations are confirmed after further consultations, both companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue, a penalty that could cost Meta more than $7 billion based on its 2024 earnings.

Despite the serious implications, the findings are preliminary. The companies have the opportunity to respond and address the breaches before any final decision is made. The Meta spokesperson added that the company would “continue to negotiate with the Commission.”

The probe forms part of the EU’s focus on Big Tech, which has already placed X (formerly Twitter), Google, YouTube, and Amazon under investigation for issues ranging from disinformation to product safety.