Google and the Federal Government of Nigeria are working together to reduce the number of subversive YouTube channels that propagate hate and misinformation about the nation.
Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed pleaded with Google to forbid IPOB from using its platform for its violent crimes and destabilising activities after noting that IPOB is a terrorist organisation that is outlawed.
Mohammed, said this when a Google team paid him a visit in Abuja on Thursday.
He stated that he was pleased that Google and the Federal Government both have similar concerns about the proper use of social media.
“We want Google to look into how to tackle the use of private and unlisted YouTube channels and YouTube live streams by proscribed groups and terrorist organisations.
"Channels and emails containing names of proscribed groups and their affiliates should not be allowed on Google platforms,” he said.
With over 100 million Internet users, he said that Nigerians are among the most active social media users in the world and that platforms like Google, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and WhatsApp allow Nigerians to socialise, share ideas, make a living, and take part in social and political matters.
However, the Minister noted that shady individuals or organisations also exploit these platforms for harmful and subversive operations.
In an effort to establish a framework for cooperatively protecting Nigerian consumers of Internet platforms, according to Mohammed, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently proposed a "Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries."
“This code couldn’t have come at a better time, as the country prepares for general elections next year.
"We are committed to working with platforms like yours as well as the civil society, lawyers, media practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure responsible use of the Internet and to protect our people from the harmful effects
of social media,” he said.
Google's regional director for sub-Saharan Africa, Charles Murito, said in his remarks that the platform has launched a programme called "Trusted Flaggers" for users who have been educated to monitor and interact with online content in order to flag items of severe concern.
“As I mentioned earlier, we share the same sentiments, we share the same goals and objectives and we do not want our platform to be used for ill purposes,” he said.
Adewolu Adene, the Google Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager stated that "Equiano," a subsea cable that recently arrived in Nigeria from Portugal, is intended to improve connectivity and access to the internet as well as to lower the cost of data in order to foster job growth and the dissemination of knowledge.
He declared that 30 media outlets, including the fact-checking website Dubawa, would receive a $3.2 million grant under the Google News Initiative Challenge in appreciation for their creative efforts in the information dissemination field.
The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and Google will collaborate to digitise the recently repatriated antiquities in order to preserve them and make them available to a wider audience via Google Arts and Culture, Adene further promised.
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