Nigeria Shuts Down 13.5 Million Social Media Accounts Over Offensive Content

The Nigerian government has deactivated about 13,597,057 social media accounts over what was described as “offensive content and violations of the code of practice” by their users. The affected platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

This was revealed in the 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report, submitted by promoters of interactive computer service platforms such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

The Code of Practice was jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report: Highlights of Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” detailed measures taken to safeguard users.

In a statement released today, August 20, NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar disclosed that 58,909,112 offensive contents were removed across various platforms. She further revealed that the agency received 754,629 registered complaints, while 420,439 pieces of content were initially taken down and later re-uploaded after user appeals.

Umar commended Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their consistent compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.

“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and their community guidelines. The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and more responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.

“We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” she stated.