Kenya has ordered TikTok to eliminate sexual content involving minors following a BBC report revealing exploitation of teenagers through sexual livestreams. The Communications Authority of Kenya initiated an inquiry and warned of potential sanctions for legal violations. This announcement reflects a broader concern regarding child online exploitation, especially given recent legal cases in the country.
On Thursday, Kenyan authorities mandated that TikTok remove sexual content involving minors, responding to a BBC investigative report that highlighted the platform’s exploitation of Kenyan teens, some as young as 15, for sexual livestreams. The Communications Authority of Kenya announced the initiation of a formal inquiry, emphasizing its readiness to impose sanctions should any legal violations by the app be detected.
The reported exploitation contravenes Kenya’s laws, which criminalize online child exploitation. This comes on the heels of a recent case where a Dutch national was sentenced to a decade in prison for sharing pornographic material with minors via WhatsApp. Furthermore, the regulatory body has requested that TikTok clarify how such offensive material evades its content moderation systems.
TikTok ranks as the third most popular social media platform in Kenya, trailing behind Facebook and WhatsApp. Renowned for its captivating short video content, the app has over one billion active users globally. The platform has faced various controversies, including allegations of espionage in the United States and an investigation by the European Union regarding its influence on Romania’s presidential election. Additionally, several nations have imposed bans on its usage by personnel in state institutions.
The Kenyan government’s directive for TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors underscores the serious concerns regarding child exploitation on digital platforms. As authorities pursue an inquiry into the matter, they reaffirm their commitment to enforcing laws against online exploitation. As TikTok continues to grow in popularity, its accountability and content moderation practices are under increased scrutiny.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
