The National Assembly decided against implementing a complete prohibition of TikTok for its decision, which has created major disruptions in Kenya’s digital sector. The social media platform received relief from restrictions, but the situation includes a “twisted” penalty, which will introduce severe new rules that will change how millions of Kenyans use the platform.
The creators of content celebrate their victory, but the legislative process targets to remove the power that the company uses to operate its business.
A powerful parliamentary committee has shifted its approach from complete blackout to full monitoring control. The new directive requires TikTok to comply with strict local data protection regulations while establishing effective age verification systems.
This action goes beyond content monitoring because it serves as a deliberate attempt to establish digital control over the internet. The MPs demand that the platform must give the government full access to its systems, which include moderation algorithms and data storage methods, to protect minors and national defense.
The platform’s parent company, ByteDance, faces an ultimatum through the “soft ban,” which reveals its true purpose. Parliament has declared that if the company does not create a physical office in Kenya that meets legal requirements, its services will face immediate restrictions.
The state has changed its approach to managing international technology giants by shifting from passive observation to active government monitoring of digital boundaries.
The government chose strict regulation instead of a complete ban, which protected its public image among young voters while creating legal restrictions that controlled the platform. The new rules establish TikTok as a regulated utility that Kenyan authorities can control at their discretion.
The “hustlers” who depend on the app for their income must now operate under the new regulations, which end their previous “wild west” business freedom. The government has established a presence in the online community through its implementation of strict regulations that allow local officials to suspend user accounts and delete online content.
Users in Kenya still have access to the app, but its monitoring now reaches an all-time high.
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