NITDA Accuses X, TikTok of Tax Non-Compliance in Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has identified social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok for failing to comply with tax filing requirements set forth in accordance with Nigeria’s Regulatory framework.
In a report obtained by PRNigeria titled “Analysis of Compliance with Laws and Misinformation Management by Social Media Platforms in Nigeria,” while platforms like Google, LinkedIn, and Meta have successfully met their tax compliance obligations as outlined in Parts III, Sections 3–1, and Part II, Section 10 of the “Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries (CoP for ICSP/II),” TikTok and X have not fulfilled their tax filings.
Despite these infractions, all major Large Service Platforms (LSPs) have complied with the requirement to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria. However, compliance varied across other mandates, including the establishment of physical offices, the appointment of liaison officers for effective government communication, the engagement of certified fact-checkers, and the submission of annual compliance reports.
The Code of Practice, introduced by NITDA in September 2022 in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), aims to mitigate online harm while promoting accountability and creating a safer digital environment.
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Notably, Part II, Section 10 of the Code mandates that LSPs submit annual compliance reports to NITDA to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and foster transparency.
In its ongoing fight against harmful content—including fake accounts, child pornography, hate speech, and misinformation—the report reveals significant content moderation efforts undertaken by LSPs in 2023. The tech platforms collectively deactivated millions of accounts for various violations.
PRNigeria notes that many accounts were closed in Nigeria for breaching the Code of Practice and the respective community guidelines of the platforms. In 2023, the following numbers of accounts were deactivated: 9,610,054 by Google, 691,596 by LinkedIn, 599,776 by TikTok, and 1,198,205 by X.
Regarding content removal, the platforms collectively eliminated millions of posts that violated the provisions of the Code and community rules. Specifically, approximately 59,670,247 posts were removed on Google, 237,837 posts on LinkedIn, 4,578,858 posts on TikTok, and 168,500 posts on X.
“The report underscores the importance of the Code in addressing the dualities of social media as both a tool for progress and a potential source of harm. By enforcing compliance, NITDA seeks to create a transparent and responsible digital ecosystem in Nigeria,” the report states.
NITDA has called upon all platforms to prioritize compliance, emphasizing that adherence to the Code is crucial for cultivating trust, ensuring user safety, and preventing the misuse of digital platforms for harmful purposes.
