The Kenyan government is warning against a blanket ban on TikTok despite growing concerns about content spread on the platform. Instead, the authorities are advocating for stricter control measures by regulators.
A parliamentary panel was hearing a petition calling for a ban on Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. The recommendation follows allegations from the Home Office that the platform has been misused to spread propaganda, commit fraud and share explicit material.
Kenya's Ministry of Information and Communications suggested an alternative approach in a briefing given to a parliamentary panel. “Rather than banning TikTok, the ministry is proposing the implementation of a co-regulatory framework,” the adviser said, as revealed to Reuters on Thursday.
Under this proposed framework, TikTok would be tasked with vetting its content to ensure compliance with Kenyan laws. In addition, the platform would be required to submit quarterly reports to the government detailing the material removed.
ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, has not yet responded to requests for comment. However, the company has previously defended its stance on user privacy amid similar criticism around the world.
TikTok has faced regulatory scrutiny in many countries, especially Western countries. Italy recently fined three TikTok units for insufficient content controls, particularly regarding material potentially harmful to minors or vulnerable users.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Senate on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at banning TikTok if ByteDance fails to sell within the next nine to 12 months.
