In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo rejects calls to ban TikTok, citing plans to introduce regulatory measures to formalize the platform.
- Owalo emphasizes the importance of balancing concerns raised by the petition with citizens’ rights to expression, highlighting TikTok’s diverse role and the need for moderation and corporate responsibility.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo addressed a petition seeking the banning of the social media platform TikTok during his appearance before the Public Petitions Committee on Tuesday, April 16.
Owalo conveyed the government’s intention to introduce regulatory measures to formalize the platform rather than resorting to a total ban, citing the platform’s significance to individuals who rely on it for livelihoods.
He stressed the importance of striking a balance between addressing concerns raised by the petition and upholding citizens’ rights to expression, acknowledging TikTok’s role as a diverse platform for creativity, political discourse, and cultural representation.
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Owalo outlined plans to introduce proposed amendments in the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill 2023 to cover new media like TikTok, alongside new regulations through the Kenya Information and Communications Broadcasting Regulations.
Accompanied by his Principal Secretary John Tanui and senior officers from the Office of Data Protection and the Communication Authority of Kenya, Owalo responded to queries from MPs during the session.
Taveta MP John Bwire queried the Ministry and the CA’s capacity to moderate social media platforms and vet external moderators to ensure their competence.
He also raised concerns about a risk mitigation framework to engage platforms like TikTok in corporate social responsibility projects that benefit Kenyans and counteract negative effects such as addiction and mental health issues.
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The petition, filed by a businessman in August 2023, alleged that TikTok’s content, particularly during late hours, was eroding morals. In response, TikTok’s Public Policy and Government Relations Director Fortune Sibanda disclosed on April 11 that over 296,000 videos by Kenyans were removed in 2023 due to their violent, vulgar, and sexually explicit nature.