TikTok says it is willing to work with the Kenyan authorities to ensure the safety of its local population on the platform.
This is in response to concerns that information uploaded on the popular site promotes violence, sex, hate speech, vulgar language, and unpleasant conduct.
Bob Ndolo, the Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy, petitioned Parliament last year to outlaw TikTok in the country, citing its danger to cultural and religious values.
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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula requested that authorities from the social networking site react to the petition.
Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's head of public policy and government relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, outlined the platform's dedication to ensuring safety during a session in Parliament on Tuesday.
He stated they are strengthening collaboration with all stakeholders, including government, the media, civil society, and parents, to address concerns about online safety, data privacy, and content moderation.
While opposing the plan to prohibit the site in Kenya, the official told lawmakers that TikTok is essential in expanding the democratic and civic space for Kenyans to express themselves and engage in civic processes and discussions on social issues.
He stated that safety remains one of their top objectives, noting TikTok's Community Guidelines, the Family Pairing Tool, which allows carers to match their accounts with their adolescents, and the Screen Time Management function.
Last year, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), the governmental body in charge of controlling the development, transmission, possession, distribution, and screening of films by grading them, said that TikTok's Live function would be discontinued nationwide.
This prompted worries over some Kenyan TikTok users posting sexual videos late at night. However, the functionality was not blocked.
President William Ruto spoke to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about the need for moderation. Chew promised to remove any improper or harmful information from the platform.
