Kenya’s government has asked lawmakers to be cautious about the outright banning of TikTok amidst concerns over the nature of content disseminated on the platform. Instead, the government has recommended enhanced regulatory oversight as a more advisable approach. As the debate surrounding TikTok’s operations intensifies globally, Kenya’s approach emphasizes the complexity of balancing regulatory concerns with the platform’s widespread popularity and cultural influence.
A panel within the Kenyan parliament has been deliberating over a petition submitted by a Kenyan citizen, urging for the prohibition of the Chinese-owned social media platform. This recommendation comes in the wake of allegations from the interior ministry, accusing TikTok of being a conduit for propaganda dissemination, fraudulent activities, and the distribution of explicit content. According to reports, the Ministry of Information and Communication proposed a co-regulation model as an alternative to an outright ban. Under this model, TikTok would be mandated to screen its content to ensure compliance with Kenyan laws. Additionally, the ministry suggested that the platform should submit quarterly reports to the government detailing the content it has removed.
This move by the Kenyan government mirrors a global trend of increased scrutiny on TikTok. Last month, Italy imposed fines on three TikTok subsidiaries for inadequate content monitoring, particularly content deemed harmful to minors or vulnerable users.
