TikTok Tightens Moderation, Removes 360,000+ Videos in Kenya in 2024

• Nov 13, 2024

TikTok recently removed over 360,000 videos in Kenya during the second quarter of 2024, aiming to enforce its community guidelines and improve content moderation. This move is part of TikTok's broader effort to maintain a safe digital environment and address community concerns about harmful or inappropriate content on the platform. Globally, TikTok has ramped up its moderation efforts, with a new report revealing the company banned more than 60,000 accounts worldwide during the same period.

According to TikTok’s quarterly Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which was released on Wednesday, the company banned 60,465 accounts, with 57,262 of these suspected to be operated by users under the age of 13. This highlights TikTok’s commitment to enforcing age restrictions and preventing children from accessing content that may not be age-appropriate.

In Kenya, the 360,000 videos removed represented about 0.3% of all content uploaded during the reporting period. This small proportion underscores TikTok’s proactive approach to preventing the spread of harmful content. Impressively, 99.1% of these removed videos were taken down before any user reported them, and 95% were removed within 24 hours of being flagged. These statistics reflect TikTok's efficiency in identifying and addressing inappropriate content quickly, reducing the likelihood that harmful material will reach users.

TikTok’s content moderation strategy relies heavily on automated technology, which helps detect potentially harmful content efficiently. In June 2024 alone, TikTok removed more than 178 million videos worldwide, with 144 million of these taken down using automated tools. By leveraging advanced technologies, TikTok can swiftly address potential risks and minimize the exposure of human moderators to graphic or disturbing content.

This proactive approach not only enhances TikTok’s capacity to moderate effectively but also promotes transparency. The report highlights the company’s dedication to providing a secure platform for its vast user base, which exceeds one billion users globally. By issuing quarterly reports, TikTok aims to keep users informed about its moderation practices and reassure them of its commitment to digital safety.

The enforcement actions in Kenya and elsewhere address various forms of policy violations, from age-related restrictions to content associated with hate speech, harassment, and graphic material. TikTok’s guidelines specify that users must be at least 13 years old, with stringent measures to suspend accounts operated by minors. By doing so, TikTok aims to protect younger users from exposure to inappropriate content and potential online risks.

In addition to age-related safeguards, TikTok emphasizes accountability and transparency in its content moderation. Its investment in advanced technologies allows the platform to preemptively detect and eliminate harmful content, contributing to a safer online experience for users. The proactive detection rate of TikTok’s automated tools stands at 98.2%, allowing the company to address most violations before users even see the content.

TikTok’s strategy, which combines cutting-edge automation with human oversight, sets a new standard for digital safety. With its commitment to improving content moderation in Kenya and across the globe, TikTok continues to prioritize user safety, showing its dedication to creating a secure, welcoming digital community.