TikTok has stepped up its content moderation efforts in Kenya, removing nearly 600,000 videos between April and June 2025 for breaching its community guidelines, marking the platform’s most aggressive takedown in the country to date.
Highlights
- Almost 600,000 videos deleted in Q2 2025 for rule violations.
- The number is up from 450,000 videos in Q1 2025.
- More than 360,000 videos were removed during the same period in 2024.
- TikTok cites community safety and policy enforcement as key reasons.
Main Story
Takedowns Hit Record High
TikTok has disclosed that it removed nearly 600,000 videos from its archives in Kenya during the second quarter of 2025, citing violations of its community guidelines.
The surge in takedowns reflects the company’s ongoing effort to combat harmful, misleading, or inappropriate content on the platform.
The figure represents a steady rise from 450,000 videos deleted in Q1 2025 and 360,000 in the same period last year a sign that content moderation activity in Kenya is intensifying as the app’s user base continues to grow.
Focus on Safety and Integrity
TikTok said the removed videos violated its rules on issues such as hate speech, misinformation, nudity, violent content, and harassment. The company emphasized that protecting users and maintaining a safe digital space remains its top priority.
“We continually invest in systems, people, and technology to ensure TikTok stays a positive environment for creativity and expression,” the platform noted in its quarterly transparency update.
Kenya’s Digital Shift and Policy Pressure
The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of social media platforms in Kenya, where concerns over online safety, disinformation, and youth exposure to harmful content have led to calls for stronger regulation.
TikTok’s latest report is likely to bolster its argument that it is proactively managing local content and adhering to Kenya’s digital communication standards.
As TikTok tightens its grip on harmful content, the platform’s battle to balance free expression with digital safety in Kenya is only just beginning.
