Abuja: In a significant move, leading global platforms Google, Microsoft, and TikTok have taken action by closing and deactivating a staggering 13 million accounts, aligning with Nigeria’s Code of Practice for online platforms, as revealed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Mrs Hadiza Umar, Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations of NITDA, disclosed in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasising NITDA’s role in overseeing the compliance of these platforms with Nigeria’s Code of Practice.
Umar expressed that the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, Internet Intermediaries, is for the submission of the 2024 compliance report.
The code was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA, outlining clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content.
“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the code of practice and the platforms’ community guidelines.
“The highlight of the overall statistics across all platforms shows that there are 754,629 registered complaints.
“We recorded 58,909,112 content takedown, 420,439 removed and re-uploaded content following appeal by users. There were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts,” she added.
Umar also stated that the submission of the reports marked a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.
According to her, it also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all.
“This achievement reflects the provisions of the code of practice, which mandated that large service platforms were registered in Nigeria and complied with relevant laws, including the fulfilment of tax obligations.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders,” she said.
She explained that NITDA remained committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners in a united front to strengthen user safety measures further. This collaboration, she added, would not only enhance digital literacy but also promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
