Global tech giants Google, Microsoft, and TikTok have collectively blocked over 13.5 million user accounts in Nigeria within a single quarter, citing violations of community guidelines, harmful content, and coordinated inauthentic behavior.
The disclosure was made in a joint presentation to the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem and enforce online safety regulations.
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns from the Nigerian government over the misuse of digital platforms for cybercrime, misinformation, online fraud, and threats to national security.
“These actions are part of our commitment to foster a safe online environment for users in Nigeria and around the world,” a Google spokesperson stated. “We remain aligned with local authorities in enforcing digital trust and transparency.”
Microsoft, through its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU), confirmed it had dismantled several phishing networks and blocked millions of compromised accounts linked to botnets and spam operations targeting Nigerian users.
TikTok, facing increased scrutiny globally, also confirmed the removal of accounts spreading harmful content, including misinformation, hate speech, and abusive behavior, many of which violated its community guidelines.
Government officials welcomed the efforts, noting that the collaboration with tech platforms is critical in safeguarding digital space, especially as Nigeria pushes toward greater adoption of digital services in governance, finance, and education.
A representative from the Office of the National Security Adviser emphasized that this is part of a broader national cybersecurity strategy aimed at protecting over 100 million Nigerian internet users.
Industry analysts see this move as a significant step toward establishing accountability in Nigeria’s digital space, though concerns remain about transparency, appeal mechanisms, and potential overreach.
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