Meta, TikTok deactivated over 13m accounts in Nigeria— NITDA

The National Information Technology Development Agency said leading global platforms Google, Microsoft and TikTok have deactivated more than 13 million accounts in line with Nigeria’s Code of Practice for online platforms. Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations of NITDA, Hadiza Umar, said this on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja.
Ms Umar said 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, National Broadcasting Commission and NITDA, outlining clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content. She said, “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 takedowns and 420,439 removed and re-uploaded pieces of content following appeals by users. There were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts.’’ Ms Umar 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.
She said, “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 that NITDA remained committed to working with industry players, civil society and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures. Ms Umar also said that the collaboration would enhance digital literacy and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. NAN