Many Nigerians have shared mixed reactions on social media following the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) issuance of a code of practice for online operations in Nigeria.
The agency in a statement made public on June 13, 2022, issued a code of practice for interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries and conditions to operate in Nigeria.
According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari, in accordance with the agency’s mandate directed the recent development in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
The statement reads, “in line with directives, NITDA wishes to present to the public a code of practice for interactive computer services platforms and internet intermediaries for further review and input. The code of practice is aimed at protecting the fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as defines guidelines on interacting on the digital ecosystem. This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.”
Meanwhile, reacting to this development, many Nigerians have taken to their social media handles and the comment section to express their view.
David Hundeyin, a popular Nigerian journalist, took to his official Twitter account to condemn the act.
He said, “This is it in black and white. Vote APC next year and have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok “regulated” and banned at will by the folks installed at NiTDANigeria by the terror sympathiser DrIsaPantami.”
Similarly, Sunny @Kuntaki on Twitter disclosed that the plan behind NIN registration is to stop Nigerians from insulting the president.
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“Reason they dragged us all to register for NIN is simply to stop us from insulting Buhari, Nothing more,” Sunny tweeted.
Divergents with the username @divergentscouts on Twitter tweeted that the condition was positioned like it was meant to fight against cybercriminals who are not bandits.
“Whatever you like, call it. The end justifies the means to those who laid the trap. They are only trying to make it look like they are hunting the bad boys but the boys aren’t bandits, ISWAP and Boko Haram, but Nigerian youths who have spoken freely,” Divergent tweeted.
While the majority on the platform condemned the statement, others also praised NITDA for taking a good step.
Harbidemi with username Harbidemi01 on Twitter disclosed that the whole statement aims to curb fake news and cybercriminals.
“I don’t get people’s outrage with this. The only red flag is that number 5, others are actually gingered towards eradicating fake news and ridding cyberspace of trolls and social bullies. Laws are subjective to interpretations but it’s actually a welcome development,” Harbidemi said.
Meanwhile, the conditions set out for online operations in the country fall below.
-Establish a legal entity that is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
-Appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.
-Abide by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal space.
-Comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian Law.
-Provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited content and unethical behaviour on their platform.
-Provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and delete any information that violates Nigerian law within the agreed time.
