Register with CAC, delete illegal content in 24 hours, FG tells Facebook, Twitter, others
The Federal Government has issued a code of practice for all online platforms operating in Nigeria.
The Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, National Information Technology Development Agency, Hadiza Umar, in a statement on Monday, 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.
According to the agency, the code of practice will hold online platforms accountable for unlawful and harmful information on their platforms.
Recall that in June 2021, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, asked the national assembly to enact a law to regulate online media.
Mohammed had told the house of representatives that the National Broadcasting Commission Act should be amended to empower the agency to regulate all social and online media platforms in the country.
The amendment to the NBC ACT, which was being considered by the House of Representatives at the time, was later suspended following public outrage.
As part of the conditions, internet platforms must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission, 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 added that the Federal Government was committed towards ensuring Nigeria fully harnesses the “potentials of the digital economy and safeguard the security and interest of its citizens in the digital ecosystem.”
NITDA noted that the code of practice would come into effect on the date issued by the agency.
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