Bashir Ahmed Seeks Tighter TikTok Controls in Nigeria
Bashir Ahmed, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has voiced concerns over the impact of TikTok in Nigeria, claiming the platform is causing more harm than good. Ahmed emphasized that TikTok is increasingly being used by criminal elements, including bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists, to spread misinformation and engage with the public, which necessitates stricter regulation. "It is alarming that TikTok, a global social media platform, is being utilized by criminals... to interact with the public and, in some cases, even engage in live conversations defending their heinous activities," Ahmed posted on his X account late Wednesday.
According to Ahmed, the platform not only provides a space for these criminals to spread their propaganda but also emboldens them by amplifying their voices. He argued that Nigeria requires stricter regulations and content monitoring on TikTok to prevent these dangerous individuals from using it for their malicious agendas. This call for tighter control on social media is reminiscent of actions taken during Buhari’s tenure, where the Federal Government banned Twitter’s operations in Nigeria for 222 days after the platform removed a tweet by Buhari in June 2021. The ban was only lifted in January 2022.
Concerns over TikTok have been growing, especially after viral videos surfaced showing bandits flaunting cash allegedly collected as ransom for their victims. Security experts, such as Zagazola Makama, have drawn attention to these alarming trends in a series of posts on their X accounts, highlighting the need for urgent action. With the ongoing debate about the role of social media in spreading criminal activity, many are watching to see what steps the Nigerian government will take in response to these rising concerns.
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