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Falana Sues Meta for $5M Over Misleading Health Advert
Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has taken legal action against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over an alleged violation of his privacy and unauthorized use of his identity in a misleading advertisement.
In a lawsuit filed at the Lagos State High Court, Falana is demanding $5 million in damages, citing Meta’s failure to prevent the circulation of a misleading advertisement that used his name, image, and voice without consent. The ad, which promoted a health product, falsely portrayed Falana as suffering from prostatitis—a medical condition he insists he has never had.
Falana argues that Meta’s actions constitute a gross violation of his fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. He is seeking a court declaration that Meta’s unauthorized use of his identity was unlawful, an order for the immediate removal of the misleading content, and compensation for the distress and reputational harm caused.
The legal action underscores growing concerns over Facebook’s content moderation policies, particularly regarding the use of high-profile individuals’ identities in deceptive advertisements.
Meta has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit.
