officials Nigeria this Monday (13) submitted a draft of a project. regulating the performance of big tech companies in the country. Google, Twitter, TikTok and Meta (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) are some of the companies that may be affected by the measure.
In the published document National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) offers a kind of “Code of Practice” that companies must follow. The guidelines include, among other things, the establishment of a legal entity in the country and the appointment of a representative to engage in dialogue with the government.
The regulator also wants major techs to provide a means to prevent the posting of “prohibited content” and unethical behavior on their platforms. Another important point is the requirement to provide information about malicious accounts, suspicious botnets and other disinformation networks, in addition to excluding information that violates local laws.
PRESS RELEASE
13 June 2022National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Publishes Code of Practice and Working Conditions in Nigeria for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Agents
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) 13 June 2022
According to NITDA, the project was created with the aim of protecting the basic human rights of all residents in the country, as well as creating rules for interactions in digital media. The agency’s head, Hadiza Umar, said the code was a “necessary intervention to recalibrate online platforms’ relationship with Nigerians.”
Views on population regulation
design sketch Regulation of social media platforms in Nigeria According to the agency, it is still subject to change based on public feedback. But the backlash against other attempts to control tech companies is an indication that the latest measure may not be approved either.
In June last year, the government suspended Twitter operations after the social network removed a post by the Nigerian president. Muhammadu Buhari. According to the report, the ban was lifted six months later when the platform apparently made unfulfilled commitments. TechCrunch.
Source: Tec Mundo
