TikTok has reaffirmed its commitment to online safety during the Second Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town, showcasing significant strides in content moderation and digital literacy across the continent.
The platform reported a dramatic 249.81% increase in content removals from Q2 2023 to Q4 2024, with over 8 million videos removed in the fourth quarter alone. Notably, 99.5% of these removals occurred before any user reports, highlighting TikTok’s proactive approach to content moderation.
Addressing digital safety challenges, TikTok has expanded its #SaferTogether campaign across multiple African countries. In Kenya, the initiative has reached over 400,000 participants through workshops on safe online practices. In Nigeria, the campaign’s second phase involves collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Data Science Nigeria to broaden safety awareness.
“Billions of people use TikTok daily, and we are continuously refining our policies to maintain a safe environment,” said Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President for Public Policy.
The summit brought together government officials, regulators, and industry leaders from countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. South Africa’s Minister of Communications, Hon. Solly Malatsi, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in creating a safer digital ecosystem.
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TikTok has also expanded its Global Youth Council, now including 28 members from 15 countries, with representation from Sub-Saharan African nations. This initiative provides young users a platform to influence the company’s safety and inclusivity policies.
The platform continues to prioritize digital literacy and user protection, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to addressing online safety challenges across Africa.
