The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) has directed TikTok to remove all sexual content involving minors in Kenya following a report by BBC.
In a statement dated Thursday, March 6, CA added that it had commenced investigations into the allegations reported in the BBC news article.
As alleged in the article titled 'TikTok profiting from sexual livestreams involving children, BBC told', some minors - including 15-year-olds - were engaged in livestreams that were filled with sexual content.
The government agency said that it would sanction the platform if necessary.
"In response to this report by the BBC, we are taking the following immediate actions: Directing TikTok to actively pull down all sexual content involving minors on their platform including on livestreams," read the statement in part.
Read More
"Launching a formal inquiry into the allegations raised in the report in collaboration with the relevant government agencies to identify any breaches of the law. CA will not hesitate to issue sanctions."
Further, TikTok was also ordered to explain how such content where individuals solicit for money through sharing explicit sexual content was still available on the platform despite moderation.
"CA directs TikTok to explain how offensive content is able to bypass its content moderation mechanisms," the authority added.
"TikTok must also present a plan to show how they intend to enhance these mechanisms to strengthen child protection and prevent exploitation of minors on the platform, and demonstrate compliance with Kenyan and international law."
Meanwhile, parents were encouraged to use various tools to protect their children from exploitation on online platforms. Information on the control tools can be accessed through https://cop.ke-cirt.go.ke/.
