TikTok deletes over 580,000 videos from Kenya for violating content rules

The giant social media platform said the vast majority of these posts, 99.7 per cent, were automatically flagged and taken down before any user reports were made, with the platform relying on automated moderation tools.

According to the popular video-sharing platform, in a report published on Tuesday, most of the content, which accounts for about 94.6 per cent, was removed within 24 hours of being uploaded.

The report also noted proactive steps taken by the platform to identify and remove content that violates its community guidelines, ensuring a positive experience for its global community.

In addition, roughly 90,000 live sessions in Kenya were interrupted for breaching TikTok’s content policies, representing around one per cent of all live streams during the quarter.

Globally, the platform took down more than 204 million videos during the same period, accounting for approximately 0.7 per cent of all uploads.  

The company said that 91 per cent of the violative content was removed using automated moderation technologies.

Over 118 million fake accounts were deleted worldwide, while more than 22 million accounts presumed to belong to users under 13 were also removed.

According to TikTok, it combines automated systems with thousands of trust and safety professionals who handle appeals, consult external experts, and respond to fast-moving events as part of its content moderation strategies.

‘’By integrating advanced automated moderation technologies with the expertise of thousands of trust and safety professionals, TikTok ensures swift and consistent enforcement of content that violates its Community Guidelines,’’ TikTok said.

"This approach is vital in ensuring that we provide a safe platform for our community, as we uphold our policies against harmful content, including misinformation, hate speech, and other violations.’’

In November last year, TikTok introduced a dedicated Time and Well-being hub, alongside four new Well-being Missions designed to encourage more mindful use of the platform, particularly among teenagers.