FG Issues New Code Of Practice To Facebook And Other Social Media Platforms

Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a code of practice for Facebook and other social media platforms operating in the country.

Gatekeepers News reports that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the code of practice is intended to guide the operations of interactive computer service platforms/internet intermediaries.

The NITDA’s Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Hadiza Umar said the code was developed with input received from online platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google, among others.

According to the agency, the code of practice will hold online platforms accountable for unlawful and harmful information on their platforms.

This is a fresh move by the federal government to regulate online platforms, amid concerns that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is clamping down on free speech and internet freedom a move which the government has denied.

In June 2021, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed asked the National Assembly to enact a law to regulate online media.

The Minister had told the house of representatives that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act should be amended to empower the agency to regulate all social and online media platforms in the country.

However, the amendment to the NBC ACT, which was being considered by the lower legislative chamber at the time, was later suspended following public outrage.

Nevertheless, this fresh move comes after a six-month ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria, which ended in January 2022

As part of the conditions, the agency stated that the internet platforms must “be incorporated in Nigeria,” i.e register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), comply with appropriate taxation policies, and avoid prohibited content.

The regulations also include policies on pornography as well as issues around cybercrime.

“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 cybercrime, 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 nudity, sexual act, deepfake, or revenge porn, where such content is targeted to harass, disrepute, or intimidate an individual. A 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”.

NITDA added that the federal government is committed towards ensuring that Nigeria fully harnesses the “potentials of the digital economy and safeguard the security and interest of its citizens in the digital ecosystem”.

According to the agency, the code of practice “shall come into effect on the date issued by NITDA”.

The document further stated that “Any Platform and/or internet intermediary that is responsible for the violation of
this Regulation may be liable to disciplinary measures under civil service rules, prosecution and conviction for violation of NITDA Act 2007.”

See the full copy of the draft code here.