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Saturday, 31 October 2026
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Saturday, 31 October 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

TikTok

Social media platform that has faced regulation for child safety violations, content moderation, and privacy issues in multiple countries including Kenya.

2026-04-292026-10-31
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News reports

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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026

  2. Citizen Digital

    … Brussels could take a risk-based approach, prohibiting features it views as harmful rather than banning platforms like Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok. …

    EU moves closer to kicking kids off social media

  3. Citizen Digital

    Indonesia's Aceh flogs couple for kissing in TikTok video By AFP July 02, 2026 02:44 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Officials in Indonesia's staunchly Islamic Aceh province publicly flogg …

    Indonesia's Aceh flogs couple for kissing in TikTok video

  4. The Standard

    … At the same time, Instagram discontinued its end-to-end encrypted messaging feature while introducing smaller updates, including individual captions for carousel posts and profile grid rearrangement.And TikTok has shifted its focus to creator tools, launching AI Avatars that allo …

    Don't want to share number? WhatsApp has got you covered
  5. June 2026

  6. Citizen Digital

    … The independent regulator was "actively investigating" potential non-compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, the government said in a statement. …

    Australia to double fine for flouting teen social media ban

  7. Citizen Digital

    … Instagram owner Meta, TikTok and Snapchat remain defendants in the case -- the second of its kind in the United States -- which is set to go to trial July 27 in Los Angeles. …

    YouTube settles with teen averting new US addiction trial

  8. Citizen Digital

    … Instagram owner Meta, TikTok and Snapchat remain defendants in the case -- the second of its kind in the United States -- which is set to go to trial July 27 in Los Angeles. …

    YouTube settles with teen averting new US addiction trial

  9. Citizen Digital

    … E-commerce has gained popularity in Kenya, where Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have set up shop on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok. …

    Kenyans largely using AI tools for shopping as trust remains a concern - Visa report

  10. Citizen Digital

    Italian mother takes on Meta, TikTok after daughter's death By Reuters June 17, 2026 08:47 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Irene Roggero Ugues, whose 12-year-old daughter took her own life in 2024, holds a …

    Italian mother takes on Meta, TikTok after daughter's death

  11. The Standard

    Online, gender-based violence is often reduced to images that can be consumed quickly.Survivors continue living with the consequences long after public attention has shifted.[Collins Oduor, Standard] There is a TikTok trend built around a gospel song by Christina Shusho: “Kijana …

    Femicide as content: How media, algorithms shape public attention

  12. Citizen Digital

    … But on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, users were likelier to stumble across news while doing something else. …

    Social networks, online video outweigh traditional media in 2026
Opinion

Kenyan firms ignore social media engagement, risk brand damage

The News

An opinion piece argues that seven in ten Kenyans research brands on social media before buying, yet most corporate pages operate as noticeboards rather than engaging platforms. The writer notes that organic online activism—exemplified by Kenyans on X responding to a US host's comment about their city—demonstrates the power of real-time community engagement that companies are failing to harness.

30 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Yesterday

  1. Kenyan firms ignore social media engagement, risk brand damage

    An opinion piece argues that seven in ten Kenyans research brands on social media before buying, yet most corporate pages operate as noticeboards rather than engaging platforms. The writer notes that organic online activism—exemplified by Kenyans on X responding to a US host's comment about their city—demonstrates the power of real-time community engagement that companies are failing to harness.

    30 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 25 October

  1. Gabon lifts eight-month social media ban after criticism

    Gabon's High Communication Authority restored access to social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram on Saturday, ending an eight-month suspension imposed in February citing concerns that online content was stoking conflict and division.

    25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 15 October

  1. Australia introduces Digital Duty of Care legislation for big tech platforms

    Australia's Labour government formally introduced a "Digital Duty of Care" bill requiring social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to give users the choice to opt out of algorithms and to protect under-18s from pornography, online bullying, content glorifying crime, and content encouraging eating disorders. Communications Minister Anika Wells said that if tech firms "build it, you are responsible for its risks."

    15 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 12 October

  1. Germany investigates robot-assisted alleged assault live-streamed on social media

    German police are investigating a 16-year-old and 19-year-old for allegedly using a 1.2-metre red and gold robot to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl in Cologne and live-streaming the incident on social media. The robot was recovered from a car boot and authorities have seized it along with the suspects' phones.

    12 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. EU warns platforms against livestreaming US execution

    The European Union warned digital platforms against showing a planned livestream execution of Nidal Hasan, a US Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people in 2009, scheduled for December 3. EU officials said platforms must enforce their terms of service, noting that Meta forbids livestreaming capital punishments while X and TikTok forbid shocking and violent content.

    12 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 9 October

  1. US Pentagon to livestream first military execution in 60 years

    The US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the execution by firing squad of former Army major Nidal Hasan — who killed 13 unarmed soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009 — will be livestreamed to the public. A Defense Department official said this would be the first public execution in the US in nearly a century and is considered unprecedented in the modern era.

    9 October 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. Government outlines cybersecurity and data privacy protection measures

    Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo told the Senate that the Government is implementing measures to protect Kenyans from online gender-based violence, cybercrime and misuse of personal information, anchored on regulation, public awareness, detection and response through the Kenya Computer Incident Response Team-Coordination Centre, digital forensics, and multi-agency collaboration.

    7 October 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 28 September

  1. Japanese voice actor sues TikTok over AI-cloned voice videos

    Kenjiro Tsuda, a prominent anime voice actor known for roles in "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!", has filed what is believed to be Japan's first lawsuit defending an individual's vocal identity against AI-generated copies. Tsuda is demanding TikTok remove videos narrated by a voice he says mimics his distinctive baritone, though the platform argues the voice is generic and any similarity is subjective.

    28 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 20 September

  1. US judge signals rejection of TikTok privacy settlement part

    A federal judge in Los Angeles indicated he would reject part of TikTok and ByteDance's proposed $400 million settlement with the US Justice Department over violations of children's online privacy laws, specifically the request to terminate a 2019 Federal Trade Commission consent decree.

    20 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Sports streaming offers Kenyan broadcasters audience and revenue opportunities

    Live sports remain valuable assets for sustainable media globally. Kenyan broadcasters can use sports streaming to extend traditional TV and radio reach while developing new audience engagement and revenue models through mobile-centric consumption.

    17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. TikTok requests Kenyan creators submit tax details ahead of earnings deductions

    TikTok has notified Kenyan creators to submit tax and residency information as the platform prepares to apply withholding deductions to eligible earnings at reported rates of 5% for residents and 20% for non-residents, though the platform has not clarified when deductions will begin or how rates will apply to different payout types.

    17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  3. Facebook and TikTok inaccessible in Equatorial Guinea for two weeks

    Facebook and TikTok have been inaccessible for more than two weeks in Equatorial Guinea following a viral video accusing the vice-president of corruption, according to an AFP journalist. Internet speed has been restricted since September 2, and access to these platforms is impossible without a virtual private network.

    17 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Samsung Galaxy AI targets young creators across East Africa

    Samsung Electronics East Africa is promoting its Galaxy AI suite as a tool designed for content creators, students, and young professionals. The features include Circle to Search with Google, which allows users to identify and source items from social media by circling them on screen.

    16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Police arrest woman after tools found hidden in jailbreak attempt

    Ruai Police Station officers discovered a pair of pliers and a shear hidden in a meal delivered by an 18-year-old woman to three suspects in custody, leading to her arrest. The three detainees are held over robbery with violence and gang rape allegations, and police allege they operated an anonymous TikTok account to lure victims.

    16 September 2026 · Capital News →

  3. UNICEF report: 20 million children face tech-facilitated sexual abuse yearly

    A UNICEF report studying 21 countries found an estimated 20 million children aged 12–17 experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a single year, with nearly 60 per cent of cases occurring on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp.

    16 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Three suspects arrested for TikTok gang-rape scheme in Ruai

    Three men aged 17 and 21 were arrested in Ruai for operating an anonymous TikTok page to lure women to secluded areas for robbery and sexual assault. The suspects forced some victims to transfer money via M-Pesa and robbed others of mobile phones and valuables.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 3 September

  1. UNICEF: 1 in 5 children face tech-facilitated sexual abuse annually

    Nearly one in five internet-using children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a single year, affecting an estimated 20 million children. The abuse predominantly occurs on mainstream social media platforms and is frequently perpetrated by people children already know, with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram accounting for the majority of cases.

    3 September 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 31 August

  1. EU designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox as very large platforms

    The EU added ChatGPT to a list of digital services subject to greater legal scrutiny, making it the first AI chatbot to face the designation. Reddit and Roblox were also designated as "very large" online platforms, requiring them to comply with additional obligations under the Digital Services Act within four months.

    31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Meta pays $18 billion in US teen safety settlement

    Meta agreed to pay up to $16.7 billion to a coalition of US states and impose new restrictions on teen use of Facebook and Instagram, resolving a landmark lawsuit over claims the company deliberately hooked young users, misled the public about risks, and unlawfully collected data from children under 13.

    27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Meta to pay $16.7 billion in US teen safety settlement

    Meta agreed to pay as much as $16.7 billion to a coalition of 29 US states and impose sweeping new limits on how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram, resolving a landmark trial that alleged the company deliberately engineered its platforms to hook young users, misled the public about risks, and unlawfully collected data from children under 13.

    26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Social media platforms fuelling tribal polarisation in Kenya

    A Code for Africa report titled Weaponised Identity and Digital Polarisation in Kenya reveals that platforms including X, TikTok and Facebook have become breeding grounds for false and inflammatory narratives, with digital misinformation, social media manipulation and toxic tribal profiling threatening Kenya's social fabric.

    25 August 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 23 August

  1. Lebanon arrests TikTok food influencer on drug trafficking charges

    Georges Dib, a TikTok influencer with over eight million followers known as "Doctor Food" who owns a confectionery business, was arrested in northern Lebanon on Sunday. He had been sentenced to life in absentia for drug trafficking and faces new charges related to manufacturing and smuggling narcotics through food products.

    23 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Seven dead in UK head-on crash with police car

    Seven people including two police officers died in northeast England after a car traveling the wrong way down a major road struck a marked police armed response vehicle near Middlesbrough.

    23 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  3. Swedish police investigate online networks in school sword attack

    Swedish police are investigating whether an 18-year-old man who killed a 17-year-old girl and severely injured two teenage boys in a sword attack at a high school in Fagersta was involved in online communities promoting school violence. Police are examining a TikTok account that posted a picture of a sword 20 minutes before the assault, which contained videos referencing mass violence incidents and Norwegian far-right mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik.

    23 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. US states sue Meta for designing addictive Instagram, Facebook

    A coalition of US states is pursuing a federal court case against Meta, alleging the company knowingly designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive to children and misled the public. The states are seeking approximately $200 billion in penalties, comparing the case to landmark tobacco litigation.

    19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Meta federal trial begins over alleged addictive social media design

    Opening arguments begin Tuesday in a federal trial where Meta faces charges of deliberately making Instagram and Facebook addictive to children, with a coalition of states seeking $200 billion in penalties. Meta denies the allegations and says it has worked to incorporate protective safeguards for children.

    19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Teachers' unions seek clear TSC social media misconduct rules

    Teachers' unions want the TSC to define what constitutes misconduct under its new social media directive before enforcement, warning that vague rules could be misused to intimidate educators. They are pushing for wider consultation and clarity on what is prohibited, particularly for content created outside school premises and working hours.

    18 August 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 17 August

  1. Gen Z KDF recruits humanize uniform through social media displays

    A Standard opinion piece reflects on how videos of newly graduated KDF officers openly embracing family and crying at their pass-out ceremony, shared on social media, challenged the traditional perception that military and police officers should remain emotionally stoic. The piece suggests the Gen Z generation is breaking with an old mythology that officers should keep emotions separate from duty.

    17 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Meta faces US trial over allegedly addictive features for children

    Meta will defend itself in federal court this week against allegations from four states—California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey—that it deliberately designed addictive features in Facebook and Instagram for children. Experts describe the case as social media's "tobacco moment," comparing it to tobacco lawsuits from the 1990s.

    12 August 2026 · The Standard →

  2. Meta, TikTok to strengthen fact-checking on migrant disinformation

    The EU said Meta and TikTok agreed to boost fact-checking of disinformation linked to a recent Ceuta migrant rush, where experts say social media false claims about an open border helped drive 72,000 migrants from Morocco into Spain's territory. The European Commission set up a coordination mechanism with the platforms and fact-checkers, though it did not rule out compelling the tech giants to do more.

    12 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

TikTok — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute