The Nigerian government has shut down 13.5 million social media accounts over alleged offensive content and violations of the established Code of Practice.
This crackdown affected users on major platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X(formerly known as Twitter).
Tech giants Microsoft, Google, Meta, TikTok, and X carried out the action in compliance with the code of practice âissued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).â
The disclosure came on Wednesday through a statement released by Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA.
According to the statement, a total of 13,597,057 social media accounts were deactivated due to these alleged violations.
Hajiya Hadiza Umar further revealed that the government recorded a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents taken down across different platforms.
âWe recorded 58,909,112 content takedown, 420,439 removed and re-uploaded content following appeal by users,â she said.
âThere were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts.â
She added:
âThe compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platformsâ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platformsâ community guidelines.â
Hajiya Umar also stated:
âThe submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.
It also demonstrates the platformsâ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all.
This achievement reflects the provisions of the Code of Practice, which mandates that large service platforms are registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including the fulfilment of their tax obligation, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.
While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders.
We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeriaâs digital ecosystem.â
What Does the Code of Practice Say?
According to Ebelenaija, which reviewed a copy of the code of practice prepared by the Nigerian government, the regulations were issued in 2022 and formed the basis for shutting down these social media accounts.
Parts of the code state that social media companies must:
⢠âAct expeditiously upon receiving an Order from a Court of record directing a Platform to provide any information under its domain or any assistance to any Authorised Government Agency for the purpose of carrying out an investigation, combating cybercrimes, or prosecuting an offence.
⢠âAct expeditiously upon receiving a notice from an Authorised Government Agency of the presence of unlawful content on its Platform. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content within 48 hours.
⢠âAct expeditiously upon receiving a notice from a User of the presence of unlawful content on its Platform. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content as soon as reasonably practicable.
⢠âAct expeditiously upon receiving a complaint by a User or Non-User to remove, disable, or block access to non-consensual content that exposes a personâs private areas, full or partial nudity, sexual act, deepfake, or revenge porn, where such content is targeted to harass, disrepute, or intimidate such User or non-User. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content within 48 hours.
⢠âNot be held liable where it takes down unlawful content based on a substantiated notice. A notice shall be deemed substantiated where such notice from a User contains an identification of the unlawful content at issue by Uniform Resource Locators or a unique identifier. A substantiated notice from an Authorised Government Agency shall contain the following in addition to the provision above.
⢠âDisclose the identity of the creator of information on its Platform when directed to do so by an Order from a Court of record. Provided that an order of this nature shall apply but not limited to preventing, detecting, investigating, or prosecuting an offence concerning the sovereignty and integrity of Nigeria, public order, security, diplomatic relationships, felony, incitement of an offence relating to any of the above or in relation to rape, or child sexual abuse.â
      SEE MORE RELATED TOPICS:
