(Nairobi) – TikTok has removed over 360,000 videos in Kenya during the second quarter of 2024, according to its community guidelines enforcement report. The videos were banned for violations related to graphic sexual content and misinformation. This action comes as part of the social media platform’s wider efforts to enforce stricter regulations and maintain a safer environment for users.
In addition to the banned videos, TikTok also removed more than 60,000 accounts in Kenya for breaching its community guidelines. The majority of these accounts, representing over 90%, were found to have users who were under the age of 13, which is against TikTok’s policy. Globally, TikTok removed over 178 million videos in June 2024, marking an increase from the 166 million removed in the first quarter of the year.
TikTok’s proactive approach in removing violating content is evident, with 99% of banned videos and accounts being removed before they were reported by other users. The company has focused on improving its automation process for detecting and removing inappropriate content, reducing its reliance on human moderators. According to TikTok, these technological advancements help minimize human exposure to harmful material.
TikTok’s community guidelines aim to promote the well-being of users and encourage respectful interactions on the platform. Videos that violate these guidelines include those promoting hate speech, criminal behavior, sexual abuse, and harassment. In cases of repeated violations, TikTok may temporarily restrict or permanently ban accounts.
The Ministry of ICT in Kenya announced in April 2024 that TikTok would provide quarterly reports to demonstrate its efforts in combating offensive content. This agreement was reached after discussions in Parliament last year, when lawmakers considered banning TikTok in Kenya due to concerns over harmful content. Despite these concerns, TikTok’s popularity in Kenya has surged, particularly among younger users who have turned to the platform for income generation through short videos.
In a meeting earlier this year, President William Ruto and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew discussed ways to moderate content more effectively. TikTok has since ramped up its content moderation efforts in the country. The platform has become a key tool for news consumption, with the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023 showing that 29% of Kenyan TikTok users rely on the app for news.
TikTok’s influence in Kenya was evident during the protests against the Finance Bill 2024, where the platform played a significant role in mobilizing opposition and analyzing the contents of the bill. Despite its growing influence in Kenya, TikTok has faced criticism from governments worldwide, including in the United States, where lawmakers have raised concerns over its data privacy practices. The US government has even ordered TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app.
With over 1 billion users globally, TikTok continues to face scrutiny over its content moderation policies. Critics have argued that the platform’s policies are weaker compared to other social media apps. In response, TikTok has committed to investing more than $2 billion in enhancing its online safety and data privacy measures.
Key Highlights
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Videos Banned in Kenya | 360,000+ |
| Accounts Banned in Kenya | 60,000+ |
| Global Videos Removed in June 2024 | 178 million |
| Global Videos Removed in Q1 2024 | 166 million |
| Percentage of Accounts with Users Under 13 | 90% |
| TikTok’s Global Users | Over 1 billion |
| Investment in Online Safety | $2 billion |