TikTok, the Chinese video-sharing platform, has expressed its readiness to work closely with the Kenyan government to ensure the safety of its local users.
The platform has been under scrutiny due to concerns about the nature of content shared, including violence, sex, hate speech, vulgar language, and offensive behavior.
In response to these concerns, TikTok’s head of public policy and government relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, emphasized the platform’s dedication to maintaining safety standards during a session in Parliament.
He stated, “Keeping Kenyans safe online requires a collaborative effort as well as collective action, and our commitment to this is ongoing and unwavering.”
Mgwili-Sibanda highlighted TikTok’s willingness to collaborate with various stakeholders, including authorities, media, civil society, and parents, to address online safety, data privacy, and content moderation concerns.
He emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of expression while ensuring safety online, stating, “Freedom of expression is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic, and open, robust debates such as those you would see online are part of the lifeblood of democracy.”
Moreover, TikTok has implemented several safety measures, including Community Guidelines, the Family Pairing Tool for caregivers, and the Screen Time Management feature.
Despite concerns raised by entities like the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), TikTok has assured its commitment to expunging inappropriate or offensive content from the platform.
In response to government concerns about misuse by criminals, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew has engaged with Kenyan officials and committed to strengthening moderation efforts.
President William Ruto has also intervened, advocating for moderation and facilitating the establishment of a Kenyan office to oversee operations on the continent.
However, challenges persist, with the Kenyan government considering measures such as barring state officials from using the platform on government gadgets due to security risks.
Similar concerns have led other countries, like Somalia and the United States, to take action against TikTok over security and regulatory issues.
Italy’s competition authority has also fined TikTok for inadequate content checks, reflecting a global trend of scrutiny toward social media platforms.
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