TikTok takes down over 334,000 harmful videos in Kenya

Social media platform TikTok has revealed that it pulled down over 334,000 videos in Kenya for violating its Community Guidelines.

The move, TikTok noted, as outlined in its Q3 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, was aimed at ensuring a safe and enjoyable digital space for all the its users.

The social media giant noted that of the said videos, 88.9% were removed before they could be viewed by other users, while 93% were taken down within 24 hours of posting.

TikTok also noted the policy areas where most videos were removed, including Integrity and Authenticity where it pulled down 99.7% of violating videos before any user reported them, with 94% taken down within 24 hours.

“These actions are critical to combating misinformation and fraud, helping Kenyan users engage in a reliable and credible online space,” a representative from the company noted in a statement to newsrooms.

A further 99.9% of videos harmful to users’ mental and behavioural health were removed before being reported, and 96.4% only 24 hours later.

The report also noted that 99.7% of content violating youth safety policies were taken down before any views, with 94.3% removed within 24 hours; while another 99.5% of inappropriate videos were taken down before any user reported, with 95.8% removed within 24 hours.

“Globally, TikTok 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,” the representative added.

“In Kenya, TikTok’s localised enforcement of its policies highlights its dedication to addressing the unique needs of its growing user base. TikTok’s mission to inspire creativity and bring joy is underpinned by its commitment to user safety and content integrity.”