TikTok intensified content moderation in Kenya, removing over 580,000 videos in the third quarter of 2025 for violating its community guidelines.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, 99.7 per cent of flagged content in Kenya was detected by automated systems before it could reach large audiences.
Nearly 95 per cent of these videos were removed within 24 hours. In addition, the platform terminated almost 90,000 live streams in real time for rule-breaking behaviour.
Globally, the company removed more than 204 million videos during the same period, with 91 per cent of violations detected by artificial intelligence and the remainder handled by human moderators.
Despite the vast numbers of removed videos, they accounted for just 0.7 per cent of total uploads, showing the platform aims to target harmful content without disrupting legitimate creators.
TikTok said its approach combines advanced automated tools with thousands of “trust and safety” experts, ensuring that harmful content, including misinformation, hate speech, and other violations, is addressed swiftly and consistently.
A growing area of concern is AI-generated misinformation.
TikTok now requires all synthetic or altered media to be clearly labelled, bans undisclosed deepfakes of private individuals, and restricts content involving public figures, particularly in sensitive contexts such as endorsements or harassment.
The platform also removed over 118 million fake profiles and more than 22 million suspected underage accounts. These steps are part of a broader effort to foster a “safer digital environment” by curbing spam, hate speech, and other harmful content while responding to intensifying global scrutiny.
Brian Omwenga, from Tech Innovators Network THiNK, emphasised the need for TikTok to demonstrate responsible AI management, not just through policy but in practice.
He pointed to the importance of robust user verification, saying that knowing who is behind each account would make it easier to trace violations and hold individuals accountable.
In Kenya, TikTok’s popularity has skyrocketed, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials. Users turn to the platform for entertainment, education, activism, and income generation.
Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya shows TikTok as the country’s third most-used social media platform, with over 15 million adult users by early 2025, up from negligible numbers just a few years ago.
This growth has fuelled a thriving creator economy. Local influencers reportedly earned about Sh47 million (roughly $365,000) last year through brand deals, affiliate marketing, and partnerships with Kenyan businesses in telecoms, fintech, and other sectors
Yet rapid expansion has brought challenges. Kenya’s TikTok community, known for viral dances, comedy sketches, and social commentary, has sometimes hosted explicit content, cyberbullying, and material unsafe for minors.
In response, the Communications Authority issued strict directives earlier in 2025, demanding platforms prioritise child safety, remove explicit content, and comply with local data laws.
The Kenyan National Assembly is also weighing a petition to regulate TikTok. Members of Parliament have supported measures that protect users while maintaining the benefits of social media innovation and digital economic growth.
The Public Petitions Committee, in its report on Petition No. 41 of 2023, ruled out a blanket ban, arguing it would infringe on fundamental rights and stifle the digital economy. Instead, it recommended strong regulation and compliance monitoring for platforms operating in the country.
Roy Kanyi, a popular TikTok influencer, urged fellow creators to produce family-friendly material. “TikTok cannot judge whether content is good or bad,” he said. “It is up to creators to ensure their work is engaging, educational, and suitable for all ages. Let us make content that can be watched by your family or even your children and still have a positive impact.”
Kanyi also revealed that his account was once wrongly banned, despite following community guidelines, highlighting the challenges creators can face in the moderation process.
Experts predict that Kenya’s digital ecosystem will continue to grow, making further regulation and platform responsibility essential. TikTok’s third-quarter moderation drive signals a proactive approach, aiming to balance innovation with user safety.
For creators, adherence to guidelines could unlock more monetisation opportunities. For users, these measures reduce exposure to harmful content, making the platform a safer space for learning, entertainment, and social interaction.
The TikTok story in Kenya illustrates a broader trend in the digital world: platforms are increasingly held accountable for the content they host.
Automated systems, AI-driven detection, and human oversight are now central to maintaining safe online spaces.
But as Brian Omwenga notes, technology alone is not enough. Transparent practices, robust verification, and a clear definition of safety are critical to ensuring that online spaces remain inclusive, responsible, and fair.