The Communications Authority of Kenya has ordered TikTok to remove sexual content involving minors following a BBC investigation. Director General David Mugonyi condemned the violations and announced an inquiry to assess the situation. TikTok is also required to enhance its moderation systems and provide a plan for child protection. Public awareness campaigns will further educate guardians on safeguarding children online.
In Nairobi, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has mandated TikTok to eliminate all sexual content involving minors from its platform. This decision follows a BBC investigation revealing alarming instances of child exploitation through the platform’s live streams within Kenya.
The CA Director General, David Mugonyi, denounced these violations, emphasizing they breach both Kenyan and international laws regarding child protection and online safety. 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.”
Mugonyi further indicated that the authority has initiated a formal investigation, collaborating with relevant government agencies to assess the scope of these violations and ensure accountability. TikTok is also required to explain how such harmful content evaded its moderation systems and to provide a plan to enhance its child protection measures.
Mugonyi noted, “We are directing TikTok to explain how offensive content is able to bypass its content moderation mechanisms. TikTok must also present a plan to show how they intend to enhance these mechanisms to strengthen child protection and prevent exploitation of minors on the platform.”
In addition to these regulatory actions, the CA is launching enhanced public awareness campaigns aimed at educating parents and guardians on how to protect children online. The authority reiterated its dedication to creating a secure digital environment, urging all online platforms to comply with legal and ethical standards related to child safety.
The CA remarked, “We also call upon all online service providers operating in Kenya to adhere to prevailing legal and regulatory requirements with respect to protection of minors and prevention of dissemination of harmful content.”
The Communications Authority of Kenya has taken decisive action against TikTok following a BBC investigation highlighting the platform’s involvement in child exploitation. The authority demands the removal of sexual content involving minors, conducts an inquiry into these breaches, and calls for enhanced protection measures. This initiative also includes public awareness campaigns to educate guardians on online safety, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding minors in the digital space.
Original Source: allafrica.com
