In a move to uphold its community guidelines, TikTok has announced the removal of over 2 million videos from its platform in Nigeria between July and September 2024. This action was detailed in the latest Q3 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report released by the social media giant.
The platform, known for its short-form videos, emphasized that this step was part of a broader global effort to ensure online safety and maintain the integrity of its community. According to TikTok’s report, an impressive 99.1% of these videos were removed within 24 hours of being posted, showcasing the platform’s proactive approach to content moderation.
TikTok’s commitment to user safety includes investing in technologies to enhance content understanding and assess potential risks before the content reaches a broader audience. “With over a billion people around the world using the platform and millions of pieces of content posted daily, TikTok continues to invest in technologies that improve content understanding and assess potential risks, allowing the platform to remove harmful content before it reaches viewers,” the company stated.
Globally, between July and September 2024, TikTok removed over 147 million videos, with automation playing a significant role by taking down 118 million of those. In Nigeria specifically, 92.1% of all videos were removed before any community member reported them to TikTok. This proactive approach has been steadily improving, with the platform’s detection rate now at 98.2% globally.
The policy areas in Nigeria where most videos were removed include mental and behavioral health, sensitive and mature themes, and regulated goods and commercial activities. A vast majority of these videos were removed before any user report, reflecting TikTok’s dedication to protecting users, especially younger audiences, from content that could negatively impact mental health or be unsuitable for all viewers, including content that might promote illegal goods or scams.
TikTok’s actions underline its leadership in content moderation and safety standards, aiming to ensure a secure and positive platform experience for Nigerian users. “TikTok remains dedicated to enhancing its safety measures and collaborating with global experts to safeguard its community,” the report concluded.
This initiative by TikTok not only reflects its commitment to user safety but also sets a precedent for how social media platforms should manage content in regions with large, active user bases like Nigeria. As TikTok continues to grow, the balance between freedom of expression and protection of its community from harmful content will remain a critical focus.