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[Kenya] TikTok removes over 334,000 harmful videos in Q3
Short-form video hosting platform TikTok has revealed that it removed over 334,,000 videos from its platform in Kenya due to violations of its community guidelines.
According to TikTok, in its latest Q3 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report released on Thursday, the move is part of its efforts to maintain a safer environment for users on the platform in the country.
TikTok also revealed that 88.9% of videos were removed before they could be viewed by others, with 93% removed within 24 hours after publishing.
The report also shows that in Kenya the policy areas which saw the most videos removed were Integrity and Authenticity where TikTok removed 99.7% of violating videos before any user reported, with 94% taken down within 24 hours. These actions, it says are critical to combating misinformation and fraud, helping Kenyan users engage in a reliable and credible online space.
Another area is Mental and Behavioural Health. TikTok said 99.9% of harmful content was removed before any users reported, with 96.4% taken down within 24 hours. This, it notes, reflects its commitment to protecting its users, especially younger audiences, from content that could negatively affect mental health.
Other areas are Youth Safety and Well-Being: 99.7% of content violating youth safety policies were taken down before any views, with 94.3% removed within 24 hours and Sensitive and Mature Themes: TikTok removed 99.5% of inappropriate videos before any user reported, with 95.8% taken down within 24 hours.
The Kenyan government has previously accused TikTok of encouraging the spread of misinformation, allowing fraud, and disseminating graphic sexual content.
While testifying before parliament earlier last year, Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's director of government and public policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, stated that the platform's user regulations and features are designed to foster a positive and safe community.
Known as Community Guidelines, Mgwili-Sibanda explained that these regulations provide a set of standards and a common code of conduct for TikTok users; they provide direction on what is and is not permitted on the platform to make it a welcome place for all.
TikTok said while releasing its latest report that it ’’ …remains committed to inspiring creativity and bringing joy while prioritising the safety and well-being of its South African community. ‘’ the company said in a statement.
‘’By employing dedicated trust and safety professionals and leveraging advanced technology, the platform ensures compliance with its robust Community Guidelines, Terms of Service and Advertising Policies, which apply to all content on its platform.’’
Globally, TikTok says it removed over 147 million videos during the same period, with 118 million detected and removed through automated systems. These efforts demonstrate a proactive detection rate of 98.2%, setting a high standard for content moderation worldwide.
