Foundation Takes TikTok to Court Over Access Problems in Kano, Northern States
A digital rights organisation has taken legal action over reported difficulties accessing TikTok in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria, seeking answers over the disruption that has affected users of the platform.
The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning the reported disruption, according to Daily Trust.
The legal action comes amid complaints from TikTok users in Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto, where some users have reportedly experienced problems loading videos, refreshing their feeds and uploading content
Foundation Takes TikTok to Court Over Access Problems in Kano, Northern States
A digital rights organisation has taken legal action over reported difficulties accessing TikTok in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria, seeking answers over the disruption that has affected users of the platform.
The Foundation for Digital Justice and Sustainable Development filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning the reported disruption, according to Daily Trust.
The legal action comes amid complaints from TikTok users in Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto, where some users have reportedly experienced problems loading videos, refreshing their feeds and uploading content through regular mobile-data connections.
Reports of the disruption emerged around September 14, with the difficulties continuing for several weeks.
Some affected users have reportedly resorted to virtual private networks (VPNs) to regain access to the platform.
However, civil society organisations monitoring the situation have cautioned that the use of VPNs alone does not establish that TikTok has been deliberately blocked or restricted.
A coalition of digital rights groups recently called for an independent investigation, saying available evidence had not established whether the disruption was caused by a technical fault, network-routing problem, a TikTok-side malfunction, traffic management or an intentional restriction.
The groups urged relevant government agencies, telecommunications operators and TikTok to clarify the cause of the access problems and provide greater transparency to affected users.
The latest court action therefore adds a legal dimension to growing concerns over access to the social media platform in parts of northern Nigeria.
TikTok has become an important platform for communication, entertainment, business promotion and content creation, making prolonged access difficulties a concern for creators and businesses that depend on the platform to reach their audiences.
The case is expected to draw further attention to questions surrounding digital access, freedom of expression and the responsibilities of technology platforms and telecommunications providers in Nigeria.
The precise cause of the reported TikTok disruption remains unresolved, pending further technical findings and any explanations from the relevant authorities, network operators or the platform.
through regular mobile-data connections.
Reports of the disruption emerged around September 14, with the difficulties continuing for several weeks.
Some affected users have reportedly resorted to virtual private networks (VPNs) to regain access to the platform.
However, civil society organisations monitoring the situation have cautioned that the use of VPNs alone does not establish that TikTok has been deliberately blocked or restricted.
A coalition of digital rights groups recently called for an independent investigation, saying available evidence had not established whether the disruption was caused by a technical fault, network-routing problem, a TikTok-side malfunction, traffic management or an intentional restriction.
The groups urged relevant government agencies, telecommunications operators and TikTok to clarify the cause of the access problems and provide greater transparency to affected users.
The latest court action therefore adds a legal dimension to growing concerns over access to the social media platform in parts of northern Nigeria.
TikTok has become an important platform for communication, entertainment, business promotion and content creation, making prolonged access difficulties a concern for creators and businesses that depend on the platform to reach their audiences.
The case is expected to draw further attention to questions surrounding digital access, freedom of expression and the responsibilities of technology platforms and telecommunications providers in Nigeria.
The precise cause of the reported TikTok disruption remains unresolved, pending further technical findings and any explanations from the relevant authorities, network operators or the platform.
