The Federal Government has ordered online platforms, such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to ensure that they remove, disable or block access to contents which displays partial or full nudity, sexual acts, or revenge porn which is targeted at harassing or intimidating a person within 24 hours.
The order which was contained in the recently released Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, also directed these platforms to take down any unlawful content upon receiving a notice from a user, or an authorised government agency.
As contained in the document, all Interactive On line interactive platforms must “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, 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.”
“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”.
The platforms were also asked to exercise due diligence to ensure that no unlawful content is uploaded to their platform.
Other conditions include registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a legal entity, complying with tax obligations, abiding by regulatory and legal demands, and providing information about users on-demand, among others.
According to NITDA, the Code of Practice is aimed at safeguarding the fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in Nigeria, and regulating interactions on the online platform.
“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.” It warned.
The National Information Technology Development Agency announced the release of the Code of Practice on Monday.