Kenyan authorities have ordered TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors after a BBC report detailed exploitation of teenagers on the platform. The Communications Authority has launched an inquiry, warning of potential sanctions for violations. TikTok ranks third among popular social media in Kenya and faces ongoing scrutiny globally.
The Kenyan authorities have mandated TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors following a BBC investigation highlighting exploitation within the nation. The report detailed that TikTok was profiting from sexual livestreams conducted by teenagers as young as 15 years old, prompting action from the government.
The Communications Authority of Kenya stated that it commenced a formal inquiry and warned it would impose sanctions if the Chinese video-sharing platform was found to have violated the law. Kenyan legislation criminalizes online child exploitation, exemplified by a recent case where a Dutch national received a 10-year prison sentence for sharing pornographic content with minors via WhatsApp.
The regulatory body also urged TikTok to clarify how such objectionable content managed to evade its content moderation processes. TikTok ranks as the third most popular social media platform in Kenya, trailing only behind Facebook and WhatsApp, with over one billion active users globally.
The platform has faced various controversies, including accusations of espionage in the United States and scrutiny from the European Union for allegedly influencing a Romanian presidential election in favor of a far-right candidate. Moreover, some countries have banned usage of TikTok among state institution personnel.
In conclusion, the Kenyan government has taken decisive measures to curb sexual exploitation of minors on TikTok in response to a concerning investigative report. With the potential for legal action and the existing laws against child exploitation, TikTok is under increased pressure to enhance its content moderation practices. Such actions underscore the critical need for vigilance and accountability within social media platforms.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
