In order to safeguard sensitive information and the safety of Kenyans, the Kenyan Interior Ministry is contemplating imposing restrictions on government officials’ usage of TikTok.
During a meeting, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the National Security Council (NSC) is involved in fighting threats linked to social media, particularly TikTok.
Kenya has the world’s highest rate of TikTok usage, according to the 2023 report. Approximately 29% of app users in the country check the news, while 54% use it for other purposes. The meeting was presided over by Kuria East MP Marwa Gitayama, who raised the question of whether or not government officials are required to adhere to a policy regarding the use of TikTok.
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According to Kindiki, the NSC is investigating the issue and may impose restrictions on the application’s usage, even though no policy is in place at this time. The outcome will decide whether the policy restricts the use of TikTok by government officials and people of certain ages, according to Kindiki, who stated that the NSC is still deciding on the next step.
Nevertheless, a review of the laws pertaining to social media users is currently under way, as stated in August 2023 by the Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy.
Kenya’s concerns with TikTok
Banning TikTok has been considered before in the nation. Bob Ndolo, CEO of Briget Connect Consultancy, petitioned to have TikTok banned in Kenya in August 2023.
The petitioner raised several concerns, including the following: data insecurity, hate speech, sexually explicit content, and foul language. He went on to say that students’ academic performance will suffer because of the social media platform.
The same month, TikTok and the Kenyan government announced their partnership to moderate content on TikTok so it reflects community standards. Also visible at the time was an office in Nairobi.
Legislators are trying to limit the use of TikTok on government-issued devices because of concerns about data privacy, cybersecurity, and the app’s ability to spread false information. There have been allegations of abuse involving TikTok in Kenya, including cases of fraud, sexually explicit content dissemination, and identity theft.
Read also: Kenyans turns down request to ban TikTok
Concerns across the globe
Already, nations like the United States, Canada, Belgium, and Australia have restricted or banned TikTok on government devices in an effort to protect sensitive data from possible espionage or abuse.
There have been bans or restrictions on TikTok in other African countries, and Kenya is just following suit. The app’s inappropriate content, including hate speech and misinformation, led to Somalia banning it.
The Senegalese government, however, has chosen not to remove the prohibition until a consensus regulation has been reached. Also, the possibility of a ban on the app has been discussed in Uganda and Egypt.
The Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) of the African Union Commission recently partnered with TikTok to educate parents and youth of Africa about the importance of staying safe while using the app, which comes at a time when the app is under scrutiny around the world.
