The Communications Authority of Kenya has ordered TikTok to remove all sexual content involving minors after a BBC investigation revealed child exploitation on the platform. The authority is also conducting an inquiry, demanding TikTok to address its content moderation failures and enhance child protection measures. Public awareness campaigns are being intensified to educate parents on online safety for children.
In Nairobi, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has mandated TikTok to eliminate all sexual content involving minors from its platform. This directive comes in the wake of a BBC investigation that highlighted alarming instances of child exploitation in TikTok livestreams in the nation.
The investigation, titled “TikTok Profiting from Sexual Livestreams in Kenya Involving Children,” published on March 3, 2025, prompted CA Director General David Mugonyi to denounce the violations. He emphasized that they are in breach of both Kenyan and international laws concerning child protection and online safety.
In response to the report, Mugonyi stated, “In response to this report by the BBC, we are directing TikTok to actively pull down all sexual content involving minors on their platform including on livestreams.” Furthermore, the CA has initiated an inquiry alongside relevant government agencies to assess the severity of these violations and ensure proper accountability.
Additionally, TikTok has been instructed to clarify how harmful content has managed to evade its moderation systems and to provide a detailed plan to bolster its child protection measures. Mugonyi remarked, “We are directing TikTok to explain how offensive content is able to bypass its content moderation mechanisms. TikTok must also present a plan to show how they intend to enhance these mechanisms to strengthen child protection and prevent exploitation of minors on the platform.”
Alongside these regulatory measures, the CA is amplifying public awareness campaigns aimed at educating parents and guardians on how to better protect children online. The authority reaffirmed its dedication to fostering a secure digital environment and urged all online platforms to comply with legal and ethical standards regarding child safety.
The Communications Authority of Kenya has taken significant steps to safeguard minors on TikTok following a concerning BBC investigation. By requiring TikTok to remove harmful content and explain its moderation failures, the CA demonstrates a strong commitment to child protection. Furthermore, public awareness initiatives are being intensified to equip caregivers with tools to navigate online safety effectively. Overall, these actions indicate a rigorous approach to enforcing child protection laws and promoting safer digital spaces.
Original Source: allafrica.com
