#TwitterBan: Telecommunications Enforces Ban, Nigerians Unable To Access Their Twitter App
Hours after the announcement of the suspension of the activities of micro-blogging site, Twitter in Nigeria, telecommunication companies like MTN, Airtel, Glo have enforced the ban as users of these networks are currently unable to access their Twitter app.
Furthermore, in a statement issued on Saturday, June 5 by Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria,the official industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria, it was revealed that they have started blocking access to the app.
The statement reads ;
“We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter.
“ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the directive in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
“Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator.
“We will continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC. We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.
“As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications.”
This is coming after the Federal Government banned the tech giant’s operation in the country. This was disclosed on Friday June 4, by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, via his spokesman Segun Adeyemi as a result of the “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.
