Senior government officials may soon face restrictions on the use of TikTok and sharing certain information on government devices, amidst growing concerns over national security risks posed by social media platforms.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki revealed that discussions on this matter are underway within the National Security Council.
In a session before the Public Petitions Committee of the National Assembly, Kindiki emphasized the need for additional defense measures to combat cyber threats effectively.
NAIROBI, KENYA
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024Kenya has a robust Data Management and Control legal regime to facilitate a secure, effective and efficient adoption of technology and digitisation of services in public and private sectors. The traditional way of communication across the… pic.twitter.com/5Ypwmqdc3a
— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) March 21, 2024
He proposed the establishment of a specialized unit to safeguard the country’s cyberspace, emphasizing the importance of addressing cybersecurity concerns with the same level of priority as traditional defense strategies.
“Today cyberspace is the theatre of risk, and therefore going forward we should invest in internal security and defense arrangements that will create a fourth defense tire,” Kindiki remarked during the committee session.
Responding to queries from Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama regarding government policies on TikTok usage among officials, Kindiki acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that it necessitates legal and policy changes.
“The potential of that space to hurt our security is big but also the potential and the irreversibility of cyberspace and its contribution to our development going forward is undeniable,” Kindiki emphasized.
He also mentioned that the government has communicated its concerns to TikTok’s owners regarding various misuse cases of the platform, including spreading malicious content, fraud, and distributing inappropriate material.
“The right to be heard is an undeniable right… we will do what we must do if they don’t comply,” Kindiki asserted.
The committee is currently reviewing a petition by Bob Ndolo, advocating for a TikTok ban in Kenya due to concerns about its impact on moral values and instances of fraud targeting Kenyan citizens.
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