The Communications Authority of Kenya has ordered TikTok to remove all sexual content involving minors, following a BBC investigation revealing child exploitation through the platform. The CA has launched an inquiry and demanded TikTok to enhance its moderation systems and child protection measures. Public awareness campaigns are also being intensified to educate parents on online safety.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has mandated TikTok to eliminate all sexual content involving minors from its platform. This directive comes in response to a BBC investigation that uncovered alarming instances of child exploitation through TikTok livestreams in Kenya. CA Director General David Mugonyi publicly denounced these violations, highlighting their contradiction to both Kenyan and international child protection laws.
In reaction to the BBC report titled “TikTok Profiting from Sexual Livestreams in Kenya Involving Children,” published on March 3, 2025, Mugonyi emphasized the urgency of the situation. He stated, “In response to this report by the BBC, we are directing TikTok to actively pull down all sexual content involving minors on their platform including on livestreams.”
In addition to the elimination of harmful content, the CA has initiated a formal investigation, collaborating with relevant government agencies to assess the severity of these violations and enforce accountability. Furthermore, TikTok has been tasked with elucidating the methods by which the harmful content evaded its moderation systems and required to submit a comprehensive strategy to enhance child protection measures.
Mugonyi remarked, “We are directing TikTok to explain how offensive content is able to bypass its content moderation mechanisms.” The CA also emphasized the importance of TikTok presenting a robust plan aimed at preventing the exploitation of minors on its platform.
Furthermore, the CA is ramping up public awareness initiatives intending to educate parents and guardians about online safety for children. It reiterated its dedication to a secure digital environment, urging all online platforms to adhere to legal and ethical standards regarding child safety in Kenya.
In conclusion, the Communications Authority of Kenya has taken significant steps to address the exploitation of minors via TikTok by ordering the removal of sexual content and launching an investigation. This proactive approach underscores the necessity for stringent enforcement of child protection laws online. Additionally, the authority’s focus on educational initiatives for parents is a commendable effort towards fostering a safer digital landscape for children.
Original Source: allafrica.com
