In Niger Republic, social media group platforms with 50 members would require a government licencing to operate, the country’s junta has said.
Newsonspot gathered that as part of measures to gag free speech, the dictatorial government has commenced the move to compel WhatsApp and Facebook group users with at least 50 membership to register with a government agency.
The Minister of Communication, Posts and Digital Economy, Sidi Mohamed Raliou disclosed this on Monday, saying “all WhatsApp and Facebook groups with up to 50 members must register to be allowed to operate.”
Raliou noted that social media platforms were being used to wage cyber war against the junta.
He added, “Facebook and WhatsApp groups provide users with a platform to sell products locally and globally. This has created opportunities for individuals to run full-fledged e-commerce businesses directly through social media; hence the need for them to register for tax purposes.”