The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has warned that centralised social media platforms such as Facebook (Meta) and X (formerly Twitter) are eroding citizens’ digital rights through data misuse and manipulation.
Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, raised the concern in Kano on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the Kano State Polytechnic titled “Monopolies to Fediverse: A Peep into an Alternative Social Media Space.”
Ya’u said the two tech giants had grown into monopolies with little accountability, adding that their centralised control enables data exploitation, political interference, and online suppression.
He accused the platforms of harvesting users’ data without consent and selling it to advertisers, political actors, and AI developers, in breach of data protection principles.
The activist also alleged that the companies promote discriminatory content, citing a report by the Sada Social Center for Digital Rights, which documented over 1,200 violations against Palestinians in June 2025.
As an alternative, Ya’u unveiled “dComms,” a decentralised platform being developed by CITAD, modelled on the Fediverse to promote community ownership and local hosting.
In his remarks, Malam Aisar Salihu Musa, Project Coordinator at Kano Polytechnic’s Mass Communication Department, emphasized the significance of this training, highlighting widespread social media use without full awareness.
He pointed out that major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and TikTok often collect user data without their knowledge and frequently sell it to companies or political actors.
He also warned that lengthy, complex terms and conditions mean many users unknowingly consent to sharing private information, allowing these companies to exploit their data without explicit permission.
Shamsiyya Ibrahim, a student at this school who participated in the training program, shared that she truly enjoyed it because it addressed social media addiction.
She learned how to manage her time better by limiting phone use and giving herself breaks.
This approach helped her balance social media with real-life activities effectively.