TikTok commits to purge inappropriate content and collaborate with Kenya’s authorities
Date: 2023-08-26
TikTok, the renowned
short-video hosting platform, has pledged to remove inappropriate and offensive
content from its platform in Kenya. This forms part of measures aimed at
ensuring that the content shared on the platform aligns with established
guidelines and community standards.
Chief Executive Officer of the
short-video hosting platform, Shou Zi Chew consented also to work with Kenyan
authorities to review and monitor content on its platform during a virtual
meeting with Kenya’s President, William Ruto.
According to an official press statement from Kenya’s presidency,
TikTok's CEO is committed to ensuring that content is moderated to fit
community standards.
“This new development
means that inappropriate or offensive content will be expunged from the
platform,” it states.
Mr. Chew in the
meeting disclosed TitTok intent of setting up a Kenyan Office to coordinate its
operations in the continent and pledged to hire more Kenyans to work for the
platform.
TikTok's proactive
stance follows recent concerns raised about the content shared on the platform.
Notably, Bob Ndolo, Chief Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy,
presented a petition calling for the ban of TikTok in Kenya. The petitioner
alleged that the platform was propagating violence, explicit sexual content,
hate speech, and offensive behavior among the youth.
Furthermore, concerns
were raised about the collection and sharing of user data without proper
consent. Allegations were made that TikTok has been involved in privacy
scandals worldwide by collecting personal information, including device
details, locations, and browsing histories, and sharing this data with
third-party companies.
Citing past instances, the petition mentioned a fine of $5.7 million imposed on TikTok by the USA Federal Trade Commission in 2019 for collecting data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent, thus violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
