NCC clarifies Twitter suspension still in force as consumers lose N220.36bn
The Nigerian Telecoms Regulatory Commission says the Twitter ban is still in effect in the West African country, as there is no communication otherwise from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture since June 4, 2021
Following a report making the rounds that the current ban is possibly over in the West African country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the exercise of its telecoms regulatory mandate, has clarified that the suspension of Twitter operations is still in effect, and there is no communication otherwise from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in Abuja, FCT.
Recall the telecoms regulator in the country had sent a memo to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to Twitter for the ban imposed by the Federal Government to take effect since Friday, June 4, 2021.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister for Information and Culture
However, some Nigerians Wednesday, September 1, 2021, had reported accessing the microblogging site and social media platform without the Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) on their laptops.
But the reported access to Twitter has only been on Internet Service Providers’ networks, and not through the mobile networks, according to the report.
Report quoting a source in an ISP company said: “The way blocking works when it comes to the network; a specific site or server or URL will be put under a blacklist.
“Or an instruction will be given to block traffic going to or coming from a certain server. So, a router that sits in between serves as a blockade rather than work as a go through; it will block it.”
The source further stated: “Depending on the technology deployed, there might be loopholes. A problem could be as regards implementation.
“It can create a loophole, a human error.”
The Federal Government has said it suspended the operations or activities of the global technology giant “indefinitely” June 4, days after the microblogging site deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari, which it stated had violated its user regulations.
The Government later approached a Federal High Court in Lagos that it had not stopped Nigerian consumers from using Twitter.
Telecoms Operators Confirm Twitter Blockage On Networks
In confirming the blockage of Twitter operations in the country, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced that the directive to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria came from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, President, and Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of ALTON, in a joint statement in late June 2021 titled, “Order to Suspend Access to Twitter”, late July had cited a formal instruction from the Nigerian Government to suspend Twitter’s operations.
The statement said: “We, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter.
