FG shut down 13.5million social media accounts, cites code violations
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has shut down 13,597,057 social media accounts on platforms including tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, and x (formerly twitter) for posting offensive content and breaching Nigeria’s code of practice for online platforms.
The enforcement action followed the submission of the 2024 compliance report by major service providers such as Google, Microsoft, and tiktok. Despite the shutdown, NITDA commended the platforms for their cooperation and adherence to Nigeria’s regulations, which were developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Highlights of the 2024 compliance report include: registered complaints: 754,629; content removed: 58,909,112; content reuploaded after appeal: 420,439; accounts shut down/deactivated: 13,597,057.
The agency reiterated that all online platforms operating in Nigeria must be locally registered, comply with tax requirements, and adhere to the code of practice.
