TheNewsGuru

Tag: Social Media Accounts

  • FG closes down over 13 million social media accounts

    FG closes down over 13 million social media accounts

    The Federal Government has confirmed the closure of approximately 13,597,057 social media accounts belonging to users of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

    TheNewsGuru reports that the account on the various social media platforms were shutdown due to offensive content and violations of the Code of Practice.

    The action against the platforms was disclosed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted by promoters of interactive computer service platforms, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

    The Code of Practice, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was designed to regulate online activities and curb harmful content.

    The 2024 report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” outlined how platforms have implemented content moderation measures in Nigeria.

    According to the report, a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents were pulled down across multiple platforms within the year under review.

    The statement, signed on Wednesday by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, also revealed that platforms received 754,629 registered complaints from users during the period.

    She added that 420,439 contents were removed and re-uploaded following appeals by users.

    Umar said: “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.

    “The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.

    “It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all.

    “This achievement reflects the provisions of the Code of Practice, which mandates that large service platforms are registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including the fulfilment of their tax obligation, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.

    “While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders.

    “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.”

  • Ekiti deputy governor disowns fake social media accounts

    The Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, has alerted members of the public on fake social media accounts opened in his name by unknown individuals to defraud innocent Nigerians.

    Egbeyemi said the unscrupulous individuals opened the accounts on Facebook and other social media platforms with his name and picture.

    He said the account was under the pretence of getting employment opportunities and facilitating government contracts for unsuspecting members of the public.

    The deputy governor, in a statement on Friday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, advised members of the public to disregard such offers of jobs and contracts being promised by fraudsters on the social media.

    Egbeyemi emphasised that anybody who transacted business or enters into negotiations with suspected fraudsters on social media in search of jobs or contracts in Ekiti does so at his or her own risk.

    The deputy governor advised any individual or corporate body who had any suspicious discussion with such faceless individuals to take a step further by informing relevant security agencies or clarify from the appropriate government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    He expressed surprise that some individuals could use his good name to defraud innocent Nigerians through the opening and operation of fake social media accounts.

    Egbeyemi said he cherished the good name, image and unblemished integrity he had built over the years and would not engage in any discussion or correspondence on employment or government contracts or having any dealings with anybody on the social media.

  • IBB denies ownership of social media accounts

    Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida has disowned various social media accounts bearing his name declaring that they are fake and are convener of fake news.

    In a press statement by his media office, he urged the public to disregard any social media handles with the name and pictures of the former leader as they are meant to mislead the public.

    The statement reads, “The attention of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR, has been drawn to the existence of several twitter handles and “Social Media” purportedly owned by the Former Military President

    “The Media office of the former Military President wish to inform the general public, particularly “Social Media” community that General Babangida currently has no twitter handle and not on any “Social media” platform.

    “Also, we wish to state categorically that the twitter handles bearing the name and photographs of General Babangida are fake and targeted at misleading unsuspecting members of the public.

    “Accordingly, we wish to advise the social media community and the general public to be wary of the fake accounts, mischievous fake online news and discountenance whatever message conveyed therein.”

    The former military leader further debunked a story making rounds by an online media.

    “We wish to emphatically state that General Babangida is an elder statesman and a peacemaker. A malicious story in an online media credited to General Babangida is a malicious Fake News.”