This order was included in the recently issued Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries Code of Practice (online platforms).

According to the document, these online platforms have to “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.”

The Code of Practice also directs these platforms to take down any unlawful content upon receiving a notice from a user, or an authorized government agency.

The platforms were also asked to exercise due diligence to ensure that no unlawful content is uploaded to their platform.

The National Information Technology Development Agency announced the release of the Code of Practice on Monday.

NITDA worked in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Broadcasting Commission to create the Code of Practice, which included feedback from platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok.

Aside from asking any online platform to have a national representative who would interact with Nigerian authorities, every platform with more than 100,000 Nigerian users must also maintain an office in Nigeria.

Other requirements include registering as a legal organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission, meeting tax duties, adhering to regulatory and legal requirements, and giving information about users on-demand, among others.

According to NITDA, the Code of Practice aims to protect the basic human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians residing in Nigeria, as well as to regulate interactions on the online platform.