A petitioner who had initially called for a ban on TikTok in the country has changed his stance and is now advocating for the regulation of the popular social media application. The petitioner, Mr Bob Ndolo, made this announcement after meeting with TikTok representatives from South Africa.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Petitions committee, Mr Ndolo expressed his belief that instead of outright banning TikTok, the government should implement laws to regulate its use. He shared that during his meeting with TikTok representatives, he raised concerns regarding the app’s operations, and they assured him that they would address those concerns.
Mr Ndolo also mentioned that he had received numerous calls from TikTok users who expressed their worries about the consequences of a complete ban. Acknowledging these concerns, he stated that only a small percentage of TikTok users misuse the platform and banning it would harm many individuals who depend on it for their livelihoods. As a result, Mr Ndolo plans to present proposed regulations and penalties for individuals who misuse the platform to post inappropriate and explicit content.
Responding to a question regarding a possible influence from a meeting between President William Ruto and TikTok’s CEO, Mr Ndolo denied any involvement. During this meeting, the CEO, Shou Zi Chew, committed to moderating content to fit community standards and pledged to establish a Kenyan office to oversee operations in the continent.
Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, who is also involved in the petition, reaffirmed their new stance. He emphasized the need to create a strong regulatory framework instead of implementing a ban. Dr. Mutua highlighted the importance of striking a balance between content creation and the protection of cultural and religious values in society.
In conclusion, the petitioner’s call for a ban on TikTok has evolved into a push for regulation. Instead of completely prohibiting the app, stakeholders are now focusing on establishing effective measures to discourage the posting of inappropriate content while still preserving the livelihoods of TikTok users.
Sources:
– National Assembly’s Public Petitions committee (no URL provided)
– President William Ruto and TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew (no URL provided)