FG Sets New Rules For Operation Of Facebook, Twitter, Others In Nigeria

The Federal Government has set out new regulations for the operation of Internet platforms including Facebook, and Twitter in Nigeria.

The regulations issued through the office of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), demand that the social platforms and other internet-based applications are duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and appoint a representative from within that will be in communication with the Nigerian authority.

GISTLOVER reports that the new guidelines were contained in a statement signed and issued on Monday by NITDA spokesperson, Hadiza Umar.

The agency explained that the new guidelines were established to better define set rules for interaction in the digital ecosystem.

NITDA also demand that the platforms must comply with all regulatory demands and applicable tax obligations on their operations under Nigerian law.

GISTLOVER understands that the agency was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to set out a code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (online platforms), in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders, working in line with the Section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, which enables it to standardise, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for information technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

It was in this regard the NITDA has presented the document to the public for consumption and more input. NITDA also added that “Internet platforms need to provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform”.

The agency stated that the new rules were developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, Google, Tik Tok, among others.