… Google, X, TikTok, Facebook Deactivate 12 Million Accounts, Delete 65 million Harmful Posts

The National Information Technology Development Agency has disclosed that Google, X, Microsoft, and TikTok paid taxes of over $1.5bn or N2.55tn to the federal government in the first half of 2024.

Also, the platforms deactivated over 12 million Nigerian accounts and took down over 65 million posts.

This was according to a statement by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar.

According to NITDA, the data is a part of the 2023 compliance report on the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries.

The Code is jointly issued by NITDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and the National Broadcasting Commission

It stated, “The National Information Technology Development Agency has commended Google, X, Microsoft, and TikTok for their compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.

“The Code, which was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission, National Broadcasting Commission, and NITDA, outlines clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content.

“The 2023 compliance report provides valuable insight into the platform’s efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines. The highlight of the overall statistics across all the platforms includes the following:

“Four million, one hundred and twenty-five thousand, two hundred and eighty-three (4,125,283) registered complaints.

“Sixty-five million, eight hundred and fifty-three thousand, five hundred and eighty-one (65,853,581) content takedown.

“Three hundred and seventy-nine thousand, four hundred and thirty-three (379,433) removed and re-uploaded content following an appeal by users.

“Twelve million, ninety-nine thousand, six hundred and thirty-three (12,099,633) closed and deactivated accounts.”

NITDA said that the data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that foreign digital companies, including social media platforms, contributed over N2.55tn (approximately $1.5bn) in taxes during the first half of 2024.