The Federal Government has ordered online interactive platforms, such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to ensure that they remove, disable or block access to any non-consensual content, which displays partial or full nudity, sexual acts, deep fake or revenge porn within 24 hours.

This order was included in the recently released Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (online platforms).

According to the document, these online platforms have to “act expeditiously to remove, disable, or block access to non-consensual content that exposes a person’s private areas, full or partial nudity, sexual act, or revenge porn, where such content is targeted to harass, disrepute, or intimidate an individual. A Platform must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and take down the content within 24 hours.”

The Code of Practice also directs these platforms to take down any unlawful content upon receiving a notice from a user, or an authorized government agency.

The platforms were also asked to exercise due diligence to ensure that no unlawful content is uploaded to their platform.

The National Information Technology Development Agency announced the release of the Code of Practice on Monday.