ATCON, NCC, NITDA warn against fake news pandemic, advocate safe internet habits
By Ogaga Ariemu
In commemoration of the World Safer Internet Day celebrated yesterday 9th February 2021, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON),
the Apex Telecommunication, Information Technology regulators, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), have urged Nigerians on safe cyber habits useful to stymie fake news pandemic, cyber frauds, and other cyber insecurity.
Also ATCON reinterated the need for more indigenous data and hosting centres across the country.
NewsDirect learnt in a telephone chat with the president of ATCON, Engr. Ken Nnamani and statements from NCC and NITDA regarding safer Internet space.
The ATCON president said that People should be mindful of the challenges involve in the cyber space in the area of cyber insecurity.
Nnamani averred that to ensure safe cyber habits, users should be mindful of files downloaded and the dessimination of information online.
To this end he advised that to avoid spreading fake on the cyber space, if any information is not verified don’t forward it, because inaccurate information create more tension in the society and the world in general.
He said, “Social media must be used responsibly, you can’t trend the fact that you want freedom of speech to pass on wrong or inaccurate information or cause tension in the society”.
On harnessing the full potential of the digital economy, Nnamani stressed that data centres and localized hosting of content in Nigeria are prerequisite for job creation and revenue generation.
He noted that the localization of content hosting is key. Indicating that this is the reason why ATCON has continued in the promotion of data centres in-country, and the localization of the hosting of the content. This will thereby create employment and revenue for the country, he said.
“Nigeria hosting companies are more superior than that of foreign counterpart”, he revealed.
Meanwhile according to a video tweeted by NCC on safer Internet day celebration, where the Principal Manager, Compliance, Monitoring Enforcement Department of the Commission, Mrs Chioma Ibe said there is need to pay more attention to the digital footprints of African Children in order to ensure their online protection.
She said children should be cautious of the dark side of the internet so that they will not fall prey to online predators.
Similarly, NITDA in series of tweets, celebrating Safer Internet day highlighted tips of staying safe in the internet.
The agency stated that Nigerians should keep sensitive data offline, check reliability of a website, protect your account using strong passwords, avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments, double check the reliability of information online, use specific software to secure your account, teach your kids how to protect their accounts and other safety guidelines.
