FG Wipes Out 13M Social Media Accounts in Crackdown on ‘Offensive’ Posts

…Takes Down 59M Harmful Content Across Platforms
…Restores 420,439 Posts After Users’ Protests

By John Paul

The Federal Government has confirmed the shutdown of no fewer than 13,597,057 social media accounts found guilty of posting offensive or harmful content in violation of Nigeria’s Code of Practice for online platforms.

The accounts, spread across popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), were deleted as part of compliance efforts captured in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted to the government by promoters of interactive computer service platforms, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

The report, jointly overseen by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), detailed a sweeping enforcement campaign on online content deemed offensive or in breach of community guidelines.

According to NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar, 58,909,112 offensive contents were removed from various platforms during the review period, while 754,629 registered complaints were received.

She disclosed that 420,439 pieces of content were later restored after users lodged successful appeals, highlighting the balance between enforcement and due process.

“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines,” Umar said.

She added that the submission of the compliance reports represents “a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.”

NITDA commended global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their “continued compliance” with the Code of Practice, stressing that the collaboration between regulators, industry players, and civil society was crucial in strengthening safety measures online.

“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,” the statement added.