The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched investigations into allegations of child exploitation on TikTok, following a BBC report that revealed minors in Kenya were involved in livestreams selling sexual content.
The report, published on March 3, 2025, alleged that TikTok profited from these activities by taking a significant commission from livestream transactions. The revelations have raised concerns about the platform’s content moderation and its role in enabling such exploitation.
In a press release issued on March 6, 2025, CA Director General David Mugonyi stated, “The allegations contained in the report by the BBC constitute a violation of Kenyan and international laws and regulations governing online conduct and the protection of children.” He further emphasized that the CA would not hesitate to issue sanctions if breaches of the law were confirmed.
The CA further outlined immediate measures to address the issue, including directing TikTok to remove all sexual content involving minors, launching a formal inquiry into the allegations, and demanding that TikTok explain how such content bypassed its moderation mechanisms. The regulator also called for a detailed plan from TikTok to enhance its content moderation and ensure compliance with Kenyan and international laws. Additionally, the CA announced plans to intensify public education on child online protection, urging parents and guardians to utilize available resources to safeguard minors.
TikTok, in response to the allegations, reiterated its commitment to user safety. A spokesperson for the platform stated, “While it is disappointing that the BBC refused to share their findings, limiting our ability to investigate their claims and further safeguard our community, TikTok has zero tolerance for exploitation. We enforce strict safety policies, including robust LIVE content rules, moderation in 70 languages, including Swahili, and we partner with local experts and creators, including our Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council to continually strengthen our approach.” The company also highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve its systems and address gaps in content moderation.
The BBC investigation revealed that livestreams involving minors were particularly popular in Kenya, with some performers as young as 15 years old. Content moderators interviewed by the BBC claimed that TikTok lacked sufficient staffing to monitor content effectively, allowing inappropriate activities to persist. The report also noted that TikTok had previously committed to establishing a local office in Kenya to enhance regulatory oversight, but significant gaps remain.
