Skip to content
AlertNaija AlertNaija Get app

Legal

Content takedown & appeals

Last updated: May 1, 2026

AlertNaija hosts content posted by its users — incident reports, missing-person posts, partner ratings, and messages. We screen submissions automatically and act on community flags, but we also accept formal takedown requests where content is illegal, infringes on rights, or violates our Terms of Service.

This page explains who can request a takedown, what to include, and how long it takes. This procedure also satisfies our obligations as an "intermediary" under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023.

What you can request

  • Removal of a specific report or post that is false, defamatory, harassing, or otherwise unlawful.
  • Removal of personally identifying information about you that was posted without consent.
  • Removal of an image that infringes copyright, depicts a minor in a harmful context, or violates someone's privacy.
  • Appeal of an automated removal if you believe your content was wrongly taken down.

How to file a request

Email legal@alertnaija.com with the subject line "Takedown request" and include:

  • Your full name and contact email.
  • The URL or in-app deep-link to the content (or a screenshot showing the report ID).
  • The legal basis for removal — for example: defamation, copyright infringement, NDPA right to erasure, court order, Cybercrimes Act §24, or a specific clause of our Terms.
  • For copyright claims: a statement that you own (or are authorised to act for the owner of) the copyrighted work, and a good-faith statement that the use is unauthorised.
  • For privacy claims: a statement that the information identifies you and was posted without your consent.
  • A signature (typed name is fine for email).

What happens next

  • We acknowledge your request within 2 business days.
  • If the request is clearly valid (court order, copyright, doxxing, illegal content), we remove the content within 24–72 hours and notify you.
  • If the request needs more investigation, we keep you updated and aim to resolve within 14 days.
  • If we decline, we explain why in writing and outline the appeal path.
  • Where appropriate, we notify the user who posted the content so they can respond.

Court orders & emergency requests

If you have a Nigerian court order requiring content removal, attach the order to your email. We treat valid orders as the highest-priority requests and act within hours of verification. For emergency safety requests (imminent harm), use "URGENT" in the subject line and email both legal@alertnaija.com and safety@alertnaija.com.

Bad-faith and abusive requests

Knowingly false takedown requests waste our time and chill legitimate speech. We log every request, share patterns of abuse with the wider internet community, and may pursue legal action against repeat offenders where appropriate.

Appeal a takedown of your content

If your content was removed and you believe the removal was wrong, email legal@alertnaija.com with the subject "Appeal", the report ID, and your reasoning. A second moderator reviews appeals. We aim to resolve appeals within 7 days.