The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) of Nigeria has released a draft policy that indicates that it plans to regular social media platforms in the country.
Social media platforms like Twitter and Meta will be required to register and open offices in Nigeria and appoint contact persons with the government.
The agency stated that the policy was developed with input from Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and TikTok, among others.
Other details in the policy include:
- Establish a legal entity; in other words, register with the country’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.
- Abide by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal presence.
- Comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
- Provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited content[s] and unethical behavior on their platform.
- Provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and delete any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.
The agency said the draft is open to review and comments from the public.
