Twitter ban: LCCI warns of collateral damage, delivery firms suspend online service

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry says businesses stand to experience collateral damage from the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.

This came as some businesses including car hire, food and other mail delivery firms have suspended their customer support on Twitter.

On Friday, the Federal Government announced the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who announced the “indefinite” suspension, cited persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as a reason.

The LCCI’s Director-General, Dr Muda Yusuf, said many businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), leverage the social media platform for marketing and other promotional activities.

He lamented that already, this group of businesses were being deprived the use of the platform.

He said the platform could also be used as a tool for the dissemination of information and that this could be harmful to the society and imposes a major responsibility on Twitter to ensure an effective self regulation.

Yusuf said, “The Twitter saga raises a major issue of proportionality on both sides of the divide. We should worry about the collateral damage to businesses that could result from the Twitter ban.  Many businesses, especially the SMEs, leverage this digital platform for marketing and other promotional activities.

“The implications is that this group of businesses are being deprived the use of the platform. Some even have ongoing contractual obligations in this regard.

“The outright ban was disproportionate, having regards to the wider implications for numerous small businesses that derive significant value from the use of this digital platform. My view is that other channels of seeking redress should have been explored.

“But there is a flip side. The reality is that the platform could also be used as a tool for the dissemination of information that could be harmful to the society.  This imposes a major responsibility on Twitter to ensure an effective self regulation.

“The saga also underscores the need by Twitter to have a deeper contextual understanding and insight of tweets before drawing conclusions. Such contextualisation would enrich its judgment and enhance its credibility.”

Some e-commerce and delivery-related businesses have suspended their customer support service on Twitter following the ban by the Nigerian government.

For instance, in an email note to customers, Konga, an e-commerce firm, informed customers on Monday that its Twitter channel would not be available to assist requests due to the suspension.

“Due to the temporary ban on Twitter in Nigeria, we won’t be available to support you via Twitter until the ban is lifted,” the company said.

It added, “For help and support, please reach out to our Customer Experience Team using any of these (other) channels.”

Rise Capital also informed investors in an email note on Monday, “As a result, we are pausing Twitter support for now.”

Carbon, an investment company, said, “While we await the ban on Twitter to be lifted, we will be unable to assist you via Twitter.”

OPay Digital Services Limited also sent a mobile application update to customers stating the unavailability of its Twitter channel.

Bolt, a ride-hailing app, also informed customers of the latest Twitter suspension and the impact on its support service within the period.

It stated, “Due to the temporary ban on Twitter in Nigeria, we cannot offer you support through our Twitter account.

“Our dedicated support and high priority teams will continue to be on hand to provide 24/7 support through channels.”