TheCable

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has asked Google to bar proscribed groups from accessing platforms such as YouTube.

The minister said this on Thursday when he received a team from Google in Abuja.

He said the federal government and Google share the same concerns on the responsible use of social media, adding that Nigeria has over 100 million internet users who are among the most vibrant in the world.

“We want Google to look into how to tackle the use of private and unlisted YouTube channels and YouTube livestreams by proscribed groups
and terrorist organisations,” Mohammed said.

“Channels and emails containing names of proscribed groups and their affiliates should not be allowed on Google platforms.”

He also spoke on the code of regulations recently unveiled by the federal government, adding that it is part of efforts to provide a framework for responsible use of social media platforms.

“This code couldn’t have come at a better time, as the country prepares for general election next year,” he said.

“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.”

In his remarks, Charles Murito, Google regional director, Sub-Saharan Africa, government affairs and public policy, said the platform has introduced a programme called ‘Trusted Flaggers’ for citizens trained to track and engage with online contents in order to flag contents of serious 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,” Murito said.