The Federal Government has given interactive computer service platforms and Internet intermediaries (online platforms) a number of conditions they must meet for them to be allowed to operate in this country. They are spelt out in a recently released Code of Practice.
A statement by state-owned National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) during the week said, “NITDA wishes to present to the public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for future review and input.” The statement said the code was developed by NITDA alongside the Nigerian Communications Commission and National Broadcasting Commission,with input from platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and Tik Tok.
One of the conditions requires each online platform to have a country representative, who will interface with the Nigerian authorities. This means that Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, Tik Tok and other interactive online platforms must open functional offices in this country. Another requirement is that they “remove, disable or block access to any non-consensual content which displays partial or full nudity, sexual acts, deep fake or revenge porn within 24 hours,” especially where “such content is targeted to harass, disrepute or intimidate an individual.” A platform must acknowledge the receipt of a complaint and take down the content within 24 hours. The code also directs the platforms to take down any unlawful content if they received a notice from a user or an authorized government agency.
In June, 2021, the Federal Government banned Twitter from operating in this country, citing “persistent use” of the platform for “activities” capable of hurting the county’s corporate existence. Seven months later, the government lifted the ban “because Twitter has accepted Nigeria’s conditions, including a requirement to open an office in Nigeria.” As it did so, the government announced that it was working on a code of conduct for all social media platforms operating in the country.
The code is out now, having been all of 4 months in the works. The government claims it is the product of collective effort involving it and online platforms. It means it isn’t an imposition but a mutual deal. Good if so it is indeed. However, the affected platforms have not accepted or denied their part in the deal. This silence is unsettling. Let them say whether they were part of the deal or they were not. It would enable the public to be better informed to take an appropriate action.
