Nigeria’s information ministry has caution Social media firms that intend to operate within its territory.
According to the minister Social media firms wanting to operate in Nigeria must register a local entity and be licensed, the country’s information minister said on Wednesday, the government’s latest move since it banned Twitter last week.
“We are insisting that for you to operate in Nigeria you must first be a Nigerian company and be licensed by the broadcasting commission,” said Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s information minister, of social media companies.
He did not give a deadline for registration and licensing, but said some firms were given notice, without naming the affected companies. He did not respond to calls and a message seeking details.
“Twitter has consistently made its platform available to those who are threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence,” he noted, naming a separatist leader and anti-police brutality protesters.
The minister said Facebook and its subsidiaries Instagram and WhatsApp had not been suspended, but did not say whether they would need to register and get a license.
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