TikTok has denied responsibility for reported restrictions on access to its platform in parts of Northern Nigeria, saying the disruption was not imposed by the company, RaveNewsOnline reports.
The company stated this on Monday in response to complaints by users who reported difficulties accessing the platform in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
“We are aware of reports regarding restricted access to our platform in certain parts of Nigeria. We can confirm that this restriction was not implemented by TikTok.
“We are actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to resolve the situation and remain committed to ensuring access for our community,” the statement said.
TikTok, however, did not identify the stakeholders involved in the discussions, disclose the possible cause of the disruption or provide a timeline for the restoration of normal access.
Reports of access difficulties began emerging in September, with affected users complaining that videos failed to load, feeds froze during use and attempts to upload content were unsuccessful.
Some users said they could access the platform only after activating virtual private networks (VPNs), while other applications continued to function normally on the same mobile-data connections.
A VPN routes internet traffic through another server, potentially making a user’s connection appear to originate from a different location.
The reported success of VPNs in restoring access, however, does not establish whether the disruption resulted from actions by TikTok, government authorities or telecommunications operators.
The complaints have largely been reported in the four northern states, while users in other parts of the country have continued to access the platform normally.
Digital-rights organisations have called for clarification on the development, noting that available evidence has not established the cause of the disruption.
Possible explanations include a technical fault, network-related problems, traffic-management measures or a deliberate restriction.
TikTok’s latest statement indicates that discussions with relevant stakeholders are ongoing, although the company has yet to provide further details on the nature of the disruption or when affected users can expect normal access to be restored.
