By TikTok faces a legal challenge in Nigeria over an alleged restriction of access to its platform in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto, raising questions about digital rights and platform accountability.
The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development has filed a suit at the Federal High Court against TikTok Inc, asking the court to determine whether the restriction violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination.
Court documents stated that users began experiencing restrictions around September 11, with TikTok becoming inaccessible in the four states by September 14.
The filing says affected users have been unable to load videos, refresh feeds, upload content, post, comment, like or repost, while users elsewhere in Nigeria continued to access the platform.
TikTok has not publicly explained the alleged restriction or commented on the lawsuit, and the reason for the disruption in the four states remains unclear.
The foundation is seeking an order compelling TikTok to restore access and an injunction against further restrictions without lawful justification. It is also seeking a public apology in three national newspapers.
The dispute should not be viewed as an AI-powered content-moderation issue, Festus Ogun, counsel to the applicant, said.
“This goes beyond the AI-powered content moderation challenge,” Ogun said. “If it were content moderation, it wouldn’t affect the users’ ability to even view posts on the platform.”
He described the restriction as “an obvious exclusion” of users in the affected states, and said it appears to be “a case of illegitimate geoblocking” that violates fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution.
The case could set a precedent against arbitrary restrictions by technology firms, Ogun said, arguing that platforms must be accountable when they cannot explain restrictions.
Civil-society organisations say they could not establish whether the disruption resulted from a technical failure, routing issue, TikTok malfunction, traffic management or intentional restriction.
For Ogun, the principle extends beyond TikTok. “Technology should serve the people,” he said, arguing that Nigerians should participate “freely, safely and equally” in the digital ecosystem.
The suit could test how far technology platforms can geographically restrict access in Nigeria, and what obligations follow when they do.
ITWeb Africa.
