Government Tackles Online Harm with Over 58 Million Pieces of Offensive Content Taken Down
The Nigerian government has taken drastic steps to regulate online activities by shutting down over 13 million social media accounts for violating the code of practice. The accounts, spanning popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), were flagged for sharing offensive content and engaging in harmful activities.
The crackdown is part of the government’s continued effort to curb online harm and enforce responsible use of social media in the country.
The move was detailed in the 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report submitted by prominent interactive computer service platforms like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” marks a significant step towards maintaining a safer digital environment for Nigerians.
According to a statement released by Hadiza Umar, the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), a total of 58,909,112 pieces of harmful content were taken down from these platforms.
The NITDA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), issued the Code of Practice in a bid to ensure that social media platforms comply with Nigerian laws, including fulfilling their tax obligations and adhering to content regulations.
The government also received 754,629 complaints about various offensive content, with 420,439 pieces being removed after appeals by the users. Umar emphasized that the submission of these reports reflects the platforms’ efforts to promote online safety and community guidelines in Nigeria.
“This achievement demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to creating a secure online environment, while also highlighting the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to strengthen user safety measures,” she said.
In her statement, Umar commended the compliance efforts of Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, praising their contributions towards ensuring a trustworthy online ecosystem. She reiterated the government’s stance on continuing to collaborate with these platforms, civil society, and other regulatory bodies to boost digital literacy and promote transparency and trust in Nigeria’s digital space.
