Title
White Paper on the Framework for an Online Harms Protection Bill in Nigeria
Relevant Sector/Industry
Technology
Key Issues Raised
This document is a white paper on the framework for an Online Harms Protection Bill in Nigeria, developed by the Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API) in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). It outlines the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to address various online harms, including cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation, and child exploitation.
Key sections include:
Introduction: Defines terms related to online harms and content moderation.
Nigeria’s Online Harm Landscape: Reviews existing laws and regulations, identifying gaps in the current framework.
Content Moderation and Online Harms Protection in Practice: Discusses current content moderation practices, challenges, and the role of AI and human moderators.
Proposed Framework for Online Harm Protection:
Recommends a co-regulatory approach, balancing freedom of expression with the need to protect users from harmful content. It includes establishing a Centre for Online Harms Research and Coordination and emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and international cooperation.
The document advocates for a duty-of-care model, excluding end-to-end encryption from content moderation requirements to protect privacy and freedom of expression. It calls for collaboration among government agencies, tech companies, civil society, and international bodies to create a safer digital environment in Nigeria.
