Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Raises Concerns Over TikTok Threats and Government Action

Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Raises Concerns Over TikTok Threats

Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has alerted the Public Petitions Committee of the National Assembly about the National Security Council’s efforts to combat the dangers posed by social media platforms, particularly the popular app TikTok.

TikTok, a short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has seen a surge in popularity globally in recent years. However, Kindiki expressed worries that platforms like TikTok are jeopardizing the safety and security of Kenyan citizens. He claimed that these platforms have been utilized by criminals to disseminate illegal and harmful content, violating fundamental rights and freedoms. Additionally, terrorist groups have reportedly used these platforms to spread propaganda.

Moreover, Kindiki highlighted concerns about identity theft, impersonation, and fraudulent activities on TikTok, such as fake forex trades and job recruitments targeting Kenyans.

In response to these issues, the Kenyan government has reached out to TikTok, raising data protection concerns through the Data Protection Commissioner. The government has demanded that TikTok comply with the 2019 Data Protection Act and other relevant laws. They have also requested information on age verification, content filtering, and the implementation of specific privacy policies tailored to Kenya.

Kenya’s actions against TikTok are not isolated, as other countries have taken similar steps. Canada banned TikTok on government-issued mobile devices in early 2023, citing security concerns. Nepal also banned TikTok in November 2023 due to its negative impact on social harmony. The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings against TikTok for potential breaches of EU regulations, while the US House of Representatives recently approved a bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US.

As the debate over TikTok’s impact on society continues to escalate globally, Kenya’s efforts to address these issues reflect a growing trend of governments taking action to protect their citizens from potential online threats.