Femi Falana sues Meta over alleged privacy invasion

Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights attorney, has sued Meta Platforms Inc., Facebook's parent corporation, for $5 million, alleging that his privacy was violated. 

Falana alleges that Meta falsely advertised a health product on its platform using his name, voice, and image, falsely portraying him as having prostatitis, a condition he maintains he has never had. 

Falana claimed that the unauthorised use of his identity violated his fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 24(1)(A) and (E), and Section 34(1)(D) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 in his lawsuit, which was filed on February 3, 2025, at the Lagos State High Court.

Falana claimed that under the Facebook page "AfriCare Health Centre," Meta posted inaccurate and deceptive information, stating that he had suffered from prostatitis for more than 16 years and had dealt with symptoms like as discomfort, exhaustion, and problems with his urine. 

In court filings, he claimed that the video was unfair, deceptive, and untrue and that he had never interacted with the respondent or its pages over matters pertaining to his health. 

Falana is requesting $5 million in general damages for the anguish and reputational injury caused, a declaration that Meta's conduct infringed upon his right to privacy, and an order compelling Meta to take down the fraudulent film right now. 

He contends that Meta was subjected to emotional pain and mockery because he neglected to confirm the claims prior to publication.

Source