Five facts about FG’s code of practices for online Platforms

By Ogaga Ariemu

Nigeria’s apex information and technology regulator, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recently released Code of Practices for online platforms in Nigeria with the primary objective to sanitise tech ecosystem, highlighting five candinal pointers.

In statement signed by NITDA, head Corporate and External Affairs, Mrs Hadiza Umar last week, a detailed step-by-step benefits of the guidelines were given.

With the interest of the generality of Nigerians at centre stage, NITDA has extended call for the submission of feedbacks, comments on the draft code for interactive computer service platforms to Friday July 2nd, 2022.

This is as Section 6 of the NITDA establishment Act 2007, avails the institution the sole responsibility to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology sector. In a society where efficient coordination, implementation of Goverment’s policy is scarcely seen, every right taking users of social media should applaud government for stepping up the game.

First, NITDA asked online platforms operating in Nigeria to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. This will serve as employment opportunities for Nigerians and impact Nigeria’s economy positively.

Also, the regulator enjoined all online platforms to abide by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal presence. As it is expected of any sane environment, Nigeria should not be an exception.

To this end, NITDA urged all platforms to comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.

In addition, the agency insist that online platforms in Nigeria should provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents, unethical behaviour on their platform; and Provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and deleting any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.

Also, with the ubiquitous yet hardly tame data vulnerability, users privacy invasion and cybersecurity, the code of conduct becomes even more vital.