TikTok has removed more than 360,000 videos in Kenya during the second quarter of 2024 for violating its community guidelines. This is part of the social media platform’s ongoing efforts to enhance content moderation and ensure that its community guidelines are adhered to across various regions, including Kenya.
TikTok’s quarterly Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, released on Wednesday, revealed that a total of 60,465 accounts were banned globally in the same period. Of these, 57,262 accounts were flagged for being suspected to belong to users under the age of 13, underscoring the platform’s continued focus on maintaining strict age-related guidelines.
The videos taken down in Kenya represent 0.3% of the total content uploaded during the reporting period, a proportion that is indicative of TikTok’s proactive stance in regulating harmful or inappropriate content before it reaches users. In fact, 99.1% of the offending videos were removed before users even reported them, with 95% of these videos taken down within 24 hours of being flagged.
This impressive figure highlights TikTok’s growing efficiency in using automated tools to detect and eliminate harmful content. In June 2024 alone, TikTok removed over 178 million videos globally, with 144 million of these removed using automated technology. These technical advancements allow the platform to identify potential risks more quickly and with greater accuracy, significantly reducing the burden on human moderators and minimizing their exposure to harmful material.
TikTok’s proactive approach to content moderation is part of a broader strategy to improve the platform’s safety and reliability. The company has been investing heavily in advanced technologies designed to enhance its understanding of content and assess any potential risks. The platform’s automated tools have a global proactive detection rate of 98.2%, which enables it to swiftly address harmful content before it can be viewed by users.
In Kenya, this approach to content moderation has been pivotal in keeping the platform safe for its users, particularly in the face of concerns about the impact of digital content on younger audiences. TikTok’s guidelines make it clear that users must be at least 13 years old to access the platform. By banning accounts suspected of being operated by minors, TikTok is helping to ensure that children and young teenagers are not exposed to inappropriate content or potential online predators.
Beyond age restrictions, TikTok’s report highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in its content moderation practices. The company is committed to providing a secure platform for its more than a billion users worldwide, and its quarterly enforcement reports are part of an effort to be more transparent about how it handles violative content. By publishing these reports, TikTok gives users insight into its efforts to create a safer digital space, while also demonstrating the effectiveness of its technological innovations.
Moreover, TikTok’s enforcement actions go beyond age-related violations. The platform has removed videos related to hate speech, harassment, graphic content, and other forms of harmful material that go against its community standards. By focusing on prevention and addressing risks before they reach users, TikTok is leading the way in ensuring a secure digital experience for its Kenyan audience and users worldwide.
With its continued investment in cutting-edge content moderation tools, TikTok is setting a new standard for digital safety. By combining automation with human oversight, the platform is working to minimize harmful content and foster a positive and secure environment for users of all ages. As the company rolls out more advanced technologies, it is clear that its commitment to creating a safe digital space is a top priority in its ongoing efforts to foster a responsible online community.
TikTok’s ongoing work in Kenya and globally reflects the company’s dedication to keeping its platform safe, transparent, and accessible for its users, reinforcing its position as a leader in digital content moderation.
