A bill that could change the game for social media platforms and bloggers in Nigeria has just passed its second reading in the Senate. The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, aims to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media platforms to set up physical offices within the country.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, with over 220 million people, and has a significant digital presence. Nigerians spend an average of three hours and 46 minutes online daily, ranking the country second globally in terms of social media usage. However, despite this high engagement, multinational social media corporations like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter don't have physical offices in Nigeria.
The absence of these offices has led to several challenges, including limited local representation, economic losses, and difficulties in ensuring legal and data protection compliance. To address these issues, the bill proposes that social media platforms establish physical offices in Nigeria.
The bill also introduces new regulations for bloggers in Nigeria. To operate legally, bloggers would need to:
- Establish a verifiable office: In one of the capital cities across the country.
- Maintain proper employee records: To ensure transparency and accountability.
- *Belong to a recognized national association of bloggers*: Headquartered in Abuja, to promote professionalism and standards in the industry.
According to Senator Nwoko, these measures aim to promote accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria's digital media space, similar to traditional media houses. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security for further review and is expected to report back within two months.
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