The Federal Government of Nigeria has released a code of practice for Facebook, Twitter and other online platforms operating in the country.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, June 13, by Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Hadiza Umar.
Umar explained the code of practice was intended to guide the operations of interactive computer service platforms/internet intermediaries. The agency also said the code was developed with input received from online platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Google, among others.
Below are some of the conditions to operate by the online platforms
* Internet platforms must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), comply with appropriate taxation policies, and avoid prohibited content. The regulations also include policies on p*ornography as well as issues around cybercrime.
* Must 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,” the document reads.
“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 nud*ty, sexual act, deepfake, or revenge P*orn, where such content is targeted to harass, disrepute, or intimidate an individual. The 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.”