The National Assembly is considering a petition seeking regulation of TikTok in Kenya, with Members of Parliament backing measures that balance user protection with the benefits of social media innovation and growing the digital economy.

In its report on Petition No. 41 of 2023 regarding Regulation of TikTok in Kenya, the Public Petitions Committee 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗻, noting it would infringe on fundamental rights and stifle digital economic growth. The Committee instead recommended robust regulation and compliance monitoring of social media platforms operating in the country.

“The total ban of TikTok is not tenable,” the report notes, adding that social media has become an essential tool for communication, creativity, and entrepreneurship among the youth.

The Committee urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to collaborate on enhancing user protection and cybersecurity on social media platforms, including TikTok. The two ministries are expected to report to the House within four months on mechanisms for stronger age verification, data localisation, and digital literacy programmes on privacy and responsible use.

Further, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been directed to engage social media platforms to assess compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019, and to ensure that user data is processed under Kenyan laws.

The Committee also called for amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Act (Cap 411A) to empower the Communications Authority of Kenya to regulate social media platforms. Additionally, it proposed that the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy monitor content moderation systems to ensure they reflect Kenyan values and languages, with adequate human moderators and psychosocial support.

Members of Parliament also want TikTok and other platforms to introduce monetisation policies that enable Kenyan creators to earn directly from their content.

The National Assembly is expected to debate a petition seeking regulation of TikTok in Kenya, with Members of Parliament backing measures that balance user protection with the benefits of social media innovation.

In its report on Petition No. 41 of 2023 regarding Regulation of TikTok in Kenya, the Public Petitions Committee ruled out an outright ban, noting it would infringe on fundamental rights and stifle digital economic growth. The Committee instead recommended robust regulation and compliance monitoring of social media platforms operating in the country.

“The total ban of TikTok is not tenable,” the report notes, adding that social media has become an essential tool for communication, creativity, and entrepreneurship among the youth.

The Committee urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to collaborate on enhancing user protection and cybersecurity on social media platforms, including TikTok. The two ministries are expected to report to the House within four months on mechanisms for stronger age verification, data localisation, and digital literacy programmes on privacy and responsible use.

Further, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been directed to engage social media platforms to assess compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019, and to ensure that user data is processed under Kenyan laws.

The Committee also called for amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Act (Cap 411A) to empower the Communications Authority of Kenya to regulate social media platforms. Additionally, it proposed that the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy monitor content moderation systems to ensure they reflect Kenyan values and languages, with adequate human moderators and psychosocial support.

Members of Parliament also want TikTok and other platforms to introduce monetisation policies that enable Kenyan creators to earn directly from their content.

The National Assembly is expected to debate a petition seeking regulation of TikTok in Kenya, with Members of Parliament backing measures that balance user protection with the benefits of social media innovation.

In its report on Petition No. 41 of 2023 regarding Regulation of TikTok in Kenya, the Public Petitions Committee ruled out an outright ban, noting it would infringe on fundamental rights and stifle digital economic growth. The Committee instead recommended robust regulation and compliance monitoring of social media platforms operating in the country.

“The total ban of TikTok is not tenable,” the report notes, adding that social media has become an essential tool for communication, creativity, and entrepreneurship among the youth.

The Committee urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to collaborate on enhancing user protection and cybersecurity on social media platforms, including TikTok. The two ministries are expected to report to the House within four months on mechanisms for stronger age verification, data localisation, and digital literacy programmes on privacy and responsible use.

Further, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been directed to engage social media platforms to assess compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019, and to ensure that user data is processed under Kenyan laws.

The Committee also called for amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Act (Cap 411A) to empower the Communications Authority of Kenya to regulate social media platforms. Additionally, it proposed that the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy monitor content moderation systems to ensure they reflect Kenyan values and languages, with adequate human moderators and psychosocial support.

Members of Parliament also want TikTok and other platforms to introduce monetisation policies that enable Kenyan creators to earn directly from their content.