“To mitigate the negative impact of such fraudulent activities, a centralized hub for reporting and sharing information will be established to protect users from cyber threats. A national framework for content moderation and filtering will be explored to ensure responsible access to digital content. We must also implement effective deterrent measures against repeat offenders to curb digital misconduct.”
The government has in recent weeks raised alarm over what it has termed as ‘recent cyber activities spreading misinformation and disinformation’ aimed at undermining the credibility of the Kenya Kwanza government.
Not long ago, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen pledged to restore order on social media platforms by targeting individuals misusing these spaces to demean public leaders and spread harmful content.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Interior Ministry announced that social media companies will be required to establish physical offices in the country to enable the government to ensure accountability of the platforms’ usage.
The popular platforms targeted include Meta, which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg and has platforms such as Facebook (with 3.07 billion users globally) and Instagram (2.4 billion users globally), as well as X (600 million users globally) which is owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.
The order also affects TikTok, boasting almost 1.6 billion active users each month on its platform, which sits at position five of the world’s most monthly active users following Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp & Instagram. Other popular social media apps targeted include YouTube, Snapchat, Linkedin, Pinterest, and Snapchat.
Social media apps on a phone. /SEARCH ENGINE LAND