The Nigerian government has announced new regulations for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other internet platforms operating in the country.
This occurs after the Nigeria lifted its ban on Twitter in the country🇧🇷 Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) released the regulations five months after a six-month ban on Twitter. The massive social media platform was banned in the country last year after removing a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari's account about freedom of expression in Africa.
According to a The Guardian, the new regulations imposed on the social media giants will ensure that the digital ecosystem is safe for “Nigerians and non-Nigerians” living in the country.
"The guidelines were developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as well as input from interactive computer service platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and Tik Tok , between others,” said NITDA.
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Five of the rules the Nigerian government is imposing on social media platforms according to The Guardian include:
- Nigerian Office in Q2022 XNUMX
- Appointment of a country representative
- Compliance with applicable tax obligations
- Nigeria will have access to manage prohibited content
- Respect for Nigerian laws and national culture and history
Twitter, the controversial social media platform, apparently had to agree to these five conditions before its ban was lifted. Other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Google have agreed to the conditions.
The Nigerian government has said that social media platforms must comply with the new regulations to continue operating in the country.
The code also said that platforms must provide information about harmful accounts, including a comprehensive compliance mechanism to prevent posting prohibited content and unethical behavior on their platforms.
"Other relevant actors with specific knowledge in this area were consulted, such as Civil Society Organizations and groups of specialists. The results of these consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice,” said NITDA Spokesperson Hadiza Umar.
