TikTok imposes overnight live-streaming ban on Nigerian users

TikTok has temporarily barred Nigerian users from going live at night, with the restriction running from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.

Many users said the ban not only prevents them from hosting live sessions but also blocks them from watching live broadcasts from other countries.

According to affected users, all live features have been limited, with TikTok issuing a system notification to explain the move.

“We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected,” the notification stated.

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One user said, “I woke up to an official system notification, and the LIVE button has disappeared completely.”

Others also reported they could not stream live in other regions.

The overnight restriction is believed to be linked to rising reports of inappropriate content during late-night live sessions. The move has also slowed engagement during those hours, affecting people who rely on live streaming for income.

Some Nigerians reportedly misused the live feature by hosting adult-themed sessions where viewers sent gifts, raising concerns around safety and moderation.

TikTok’s recent reports highlight the scale of content enforcement. In its Q1 2025 moderation data, the company said it removed more than 3.6 million videos from Nigeria between January and March 2025 for violating community rules.

In Q2 2025, TikTok banned 49,512 live sessions in Nigeria.

Globally, it acted on more than 2.3 million live sessions and over 1 million creators for guideline violations.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE