LCCI Lists Effect Of Twitter Ban On Businesses

*Bolt, Konga Suspend Online Support For Customers

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has warned
against what it described as collateral damage the suspension of
Twitter operations in Nigeria would cause.

Its Director-General, Dr Muda Yusuf said many businesses,
especially small medium enterprises (SMEs), leverage the
micro-blogging social media platform for marketing and other
promotional activities. The implication of the suspension, he said,
is that this group of businesses are 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.

In response to WhatsApp message, he 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
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 businesses, yesterday, suspended their customer support on
Twitter following a ban placed on the micro-blogging platform.

Some of these businesses that have complied with restriction
include financial institutions, startups, e-commerce platforms,
consulting firms and others.

Konga, an e-commerce firm, informed customers 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.

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

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

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

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.

“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,” the message
read.

*Bolt, Konga Suspend Online Support For Customers

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has warned
against what it described as collateral damage the suspension of
Twitter operations in Nigeria would cause.

Its Director-General, Dr Muda Yusuf said many businesses,
especially small medium enterprises (SMEs), leverage the
micro-blogging social media platform for marketing and other
promotional activities. The implication of the suspension, he said,
is that this group of businesses are 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.

In response to WhatsApp message, he 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
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 businesses, yesterday, suspended their customer support on
Twitter following a ban placed on the micro-blogging platform.

Some of these businesses that have complied with restriction
include financial institutions, startups, e-commerce platforms,
consulting firms and others.

Konga, an e-commerce firm, informed customers 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.

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

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

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

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.

“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,” the message
read.