FG issues fresh operating guidelines to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, others

The Federal Government has issued fresh operating guidelines to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other other online platforms operating in Nigeria.

This came as the FG on Monday, in a statement issued by Hadiza Umar, head of corporate affairs and external relations, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), issued a code of practice for all the online platforms.

The statement said the code of practice was intended to guide the operations of interactive computer service platforms/internet intermediaries.

The agency said the code was developed with input received from online platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Google, among others.

It explained that the code of practice would hold online platforms accountable for unlawful and harmful information on their platforms.

The development, which is the latest move by the Federal Government to regulate online platforms, comes after the six-month ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria, which ended in January 2022.

The FG had then accused Twitter of “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

On the fresh conditions for online platforms to operate, the FG said that internet platforms must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), comply with appropriate taxation policies, and avoid prohibited content.

The regulations also include policies on pornography as well as issues around cybercrime.

The document reads, “Abide by Nigerian laws and not deploy or modify their Platform in any way that will undermine or interfere with the application and/or enforcement of the law.

“Act expeditiously upon receiving a Court order 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.

“Act expeditiously upon receiving a notice from a user, or an authorised

government agency of the presence of an unlawful content on its Platform. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content within 24 hours.

“Act expeditiously to remove, disable, or block access to non-consensual content that exposes a person’s private areas, full or partial nudity, sexual act, deepfake, or revenge porn, where such content is targeted to harass, disrepute, or intimidate an individual. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content within 24 hours.”

Online platforms are also expected to “prioritise authentic information in search, feeds, or other distribution channels; trace, expose, penalise, and close accounts and sources that amplify disinformation and misinformation”.

NITDA equally said that the FG is committed towards ensuring that Nigeria fully harnesses the “potentials of the digital economy and safeguard the security and interest of its citizens in the digital ecosystem”.

The code of practice “shall come into effect on the date issued by NITDA,” the agency added.