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TikTok has temporarily restricted access to its LIVE feature for Nigerian users during late-night hours, citing an ongoing safety investigation aimed at protecting its community.
The move was confirmed via an in-app notification received by creators at midnight on Sunday (Nigerian time), which read: “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.”
According to findings by PUNCH Online, the restriction affected LIVE streams between 11 PM and 5 AM, rendering the feature inaccessible for creators during these hours. Users attempting to go LIVE or watch streams from Nigeria or abroad were met with a “No Access” label on the LIVE interface. The limitation applied only to creators who meet TikTok’s minimum requirement of 1,000 followers, the threshold for hosting LIVE sessions. Several creators confirmed that all late-night LIVE activities were completely suspended throughout the period.
Despite the temporary freeze, TikTok did not interfere with creators’ earnings. Those who rely on virtual gifting during LIVE streams reported that their balances remained intact, alleviating concerns over potential revenue loss. By Monday morning, normal access to the LIVE feature had been restored, prompting online discussions as users speculated about the reason for the sudden nationwide halt. The timing was particularly significant because late-night hours are typically the peak period for Nigerian streamers, who use the slot to host watch-alongs, entertainment shows, interactive chats, and trend-driven sessions that attract high viewership and virtual gifts.
The temporary measure comes shortly after TikTok released updated safety statistics for the West African region. During its West Africa Safety Summit held in Dakar, Senegal, the platform disclosed that in the second quarter of 2025, it had taken action against 2,321,813 LIVE sessions and 1,040,356 LIVE creators globally for violating LIVE monetisation rules. In Nigeria alone, 49,512 LIVE sessions were banned during the same period. Additionally, TikTok removed 3,780,426 videos from Nigerian users between April and June 2025 for breaching Community Guidelines. Of these, 98.7% were taken down before being viewed, and 91.9% were removed within 24 hours of posting.
TikTok LIVE is distinct from pre-recorded videos because it allows creators to engage with viewers in real time through comments, virtual gifts, Q&A sessions, talent showcases, and casual conversations. To host a LIVE session, users generally need at least 1,000 followers, must be at least 16 years old (18 to earn money), maintain a clean account, and select the LIVE option from the “+” menu.
The platform has emphasized that these measures are part of its ongoing commitment to community safety and regulatory compliance. While creators expressed frustration over the temporary disruption, many acknowledged the importance of ensuring a secure environment for both streamers and viewers. TikTok has not provided a specific timeline for future restrictions but reassured users that the changes are precautionary and focused on maintaining the integrity and safety of LIVE interactions in Nigeria.
This latest action highlights TikTok’s growing attention to regulatory oversight and safety enforcement, particularly in regions with high engagement, and underscores the platform’s efforts to balance user experience with responsible content management.
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