From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has issued a Code of Practice and Conditions for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and Tik Tok to operate in the country. 

NITDA said the conditions seek to address issues around legal registration of operations, taxation and managing prohibited publications in line with Nigerian laws.

In a statement signed by NITDA’s spokesperson, Hadiza Umar, on Monday, the agency noted the Code of Practice will safeguard the security and welfare of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country while interacting on the digital space and demand accountability from Online Platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their sites. 

Some of the listed conditions include registering with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); appointing a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian local authorities and abiding by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal presence.

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Others are complying with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law; providing a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform; and providing information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and deleting any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.

The statement read in part: “In accordance with its mandates, President Muhammadu Buhari,  directed the Agency to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms), in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders.

“In line with the directive, NITDA wishes to present to the Public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for further review and input. The Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem. “This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.

“The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), with  input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others. Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups. The results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.    

“The new global reality is that the activities conducted on these Online Platforms wield enormous influence over our society, social interaction, and economic choices.