TikTok denies blocking access in Northern Nigeria

TikTok on Monday said it is not to blame for the limited access reported by users in Northern Nigeria. The company stated that the disruption was not caused by its platform.

This response came after weeks of complaints from users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Sokoto states. Some users said they could only access TikTok after using virtual private networks.

In a statement to PREMIUM TIMES, TikTok said it knows about the issue and has started talking to the right people to fix it.

“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.

The company did not name the stakeholders involved or share details about what might be causing the disruption. It also did not say when users could expect full access to be restored.

Reports of trouble accessing TikTok started coming in September. Users complained that videos would not load, feeds froze, and attempts to upload content failed.

Most complaints came from Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Sokoto. Users in other parts of the country were still able to access the platform without issues.

Some users affected by the access problem said other apps were working fine on the same mobile data. They found that TikTok became available again when they switched to VPNs.

A VPN sends internet traffic through another server. This can make it seem like the user’s connection is coming from a different place.

While the success of VPNs suggests that changing the way they connect can get around the problem, it does not mean that TikTok, the government, or telecom companies blocked the platform on purpose.

TikTok’s response comes after digital-rights groups called for more clarification. They said the current evidence does not show if the disruption is due to a fault with the platform, a network issue, traffic management, or deliberate blocking.