TikTok has revealed that it removed over 334,000 videos from its platform in Kenya due to violations of its community guidelines. In its latest Q3 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, the company highlighted these removals as part of its efforts to maintain a safer environment for users.
The report further indicates that 88.9% of the removed videos were no longer visible before they could be viewed by other users, and 93% were taken down within 24 hours after publication. This underscores TikTok’s strict adherence to enforcing its policies promptly.
Among the policy areas targeted for stricter enforcement, Integrity and Authenticity stood out as the most heavily impacted region, with 99.7% of violating content removed before any user reported it, followed by a rapid 94% removal rate within 24 hours. Similarly, Mental and Behavioral Health, another critical area for protecting users’ well-being, saw an impressive 99.9% of harmful content taken down pre-reporting and 96.4% removed quickly afterward.
Other significant policy areas addressed include:
- Youth Safety and Well-Being: Here, 99.7% of violating videos were removed before any user viewed them, with 94% taken down within a day.
- Sensitive and Mature Themes: In this category, 99.5% of inappropriate content was swiftly addressed.
It’s also worth noting that the Kenyan government has previously criticized TikTok for fostering misinformation, enabling fraud, and disseminating graphic sexual content. These accusations have been met with assertions from TikTok about its positive impact in Kenya, as seen through their Community Guidelines and Transparency Reports.
The platform emphasizes a commitment to creativity and joy while prioritizing user safety and well-being. In addressing these challenges, TikTok has employed dedicated trust and safety professionals alongside advanced technology to ensure compliance with its stringent policies. Globally, the company reports removing over 147 million videos in Q3, with automated systems handling 118 million of them within a day.
This proactive approach demonstrates TikTok’s high detection rate (98.2%), setting a benchmark for content moderation worldwide and reflecting their ongoing efforts to protect users’ online experiences.
