Kenya Directs TikTok to Eliminate Sexual Content Involving Minors

Kenyan authorities have demanded TikTok remove sexual content featuring minors after a BBC report revealed exploitation of teens. The Communications Authority is investigating TikTok’s moderation failures and warned of possible sanctions. Kenyan law forbids child exploitation online, and TikTok remains highly popular among youths.

On Thursday, Kenyan authorities mandated TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors after a BBC investigation exposed the platform’s exploitation of Kenyan teenagers. This report highlighted that TikTok profited from livestreams featuring youths as young as 15 engaging in sexual activities.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has initiated a formal inquiry into the matter and warned that it will “not hesitate to issue sanctions” if violations of the law are discovered. Notably, Kenyan law prohibits online child exploitation, underscored by a recent case where a Dutch national was sentenced to ten years in prison for distributing pornographic content to minors via WhatsApp.

Officials have demanded that TikTok clarify how such explicit content evades its content moderation systems. Presently, TikTok ranks as the third-favourite social media platform in Kenya, following Facebook and WhatsApp, and boasts over one billion active users globally. The app is particularly popular among young users due to its endless stream of short-form videos.

In addition to controversies surrounding user safety, TikTok faces allegations of espionage in the United States and is under investigation by the European Union, particularly regarding its role in influencing Romania’s presidential election in favor of a far-right candidate. Consequently, several countries have prohibited the platform’s use among state institution personnel.

In conclusion, the Kenyan government’s directive for TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors reflects growing concerns regarding child exploitation on social media platforms. The ongoing inquiry and potential sanctions signal a serious commitment to uphold the law against online child exploitation. Moreover, TikTok’s global controversies raise important questions about user safety and privacy, necessitating further scrutiny of its operations and content management.

Original Source: gulfnews.com