Kenya is stepping up its game with TikTok! Instead of banning the app, the government wants TikTok to show that it’s following the rules more often.
Every three months, TikTok will have to give reports to the Ministry of ICT to prove it’s doing what it should. This is part of a bigger plan to make sure social media platforms like TikTok are safer for everyone.
The government is worried about things like mental health, keeping personal information safe, fake news, kids’ safety online, and keeping data secure.
Earlier, in March 2024, Kenya’s Interior Ministry thought about stopping government workers from using TikTok to keep important information and people safe.
Kithure Kindiki, who works in the Interior Cabinet, said that they’ve been fighting against problems linked to social media, including TikTok. John Tanui, who’s in charge of the ICT, told lawmakers that TikTok will have to share reports every three months. These reports will show what content TikTok took down and why.
Tanui thinks it’s better to control TikTok instead of banning it completely. He says banning it would hurt more than help because lots of young people and business owners in Kenya make money using TikTok.
Did you know Kenya has the highest number of TikTok users in the world? More than half of all people in Kenya use TikTok for fun, and almost a third use it for news.
TikTok isn’t just sitting around though. They’re trying to fix things too. They promised to teach Kenyan leaders about online safety, keeping data private, and how to moderate content. They’re also working with the African Union to teach young people and parents about being safe online.
TikTok has been banned in some African countries like Senegal and Somalia, and in other countries like Canada, Afghanistan, the United States, and India.