The Federal Government has said it had the option of shutting down the social media during the #EndSARS protests.
This was revealed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, on a live television programme on Monday.
Dare, however, said this option was not considered because of the commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to the rights of citizens.
He said: “Where you have fake news destroying lives, the government has a responsibility to make sure that there is a level of control.
“It is not censorship, but some level of control.
“The talk about the regulation of social media has been around for a while.
“We’ve seen other countries taking practical steps in that direction.
“This country has not done that.
“Even during the #EndSARS protests, the country had an option, but the country never went for that final option.
“There was no time the cyberspace was shut down.
“People were still able to connect themselves through the various social media platforms.
“The protests brought home the dangers of fake news.”
