The Ministry of Interior has directed all social media companies operating in Kenya to establish physical offices.
This move comes after months of concerns about the negative impact of social media on the country, especially among the youth.
The government hopes this action will help tackle issues like disinformation, online abuse, and harassment.
Who will this Rule Affect?
The Ministry of Interior announced that the new rule applies to global social media giants, including Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), like TikTok.
And X (formerly Twitter,) where Kenyans on X(KOX) has established itself as a force ready to keep the government in check.
The government is pushing for greater accountability from these companies in managing the content and conduct of users within Kenya.
The Interior Ministry says that social media misuse is growing, with problems like hate speech, harassment, and violence online causing concern.
The government believes these issues need urgent action. By making social media companies set up offices in Kenya, the government wants to hold them accountable for what happens on their platforms.
Telecom companies and social media platforms are expected to comply with these these new rules and take stronger steps to stop harmful activities online. This includes doing more to remove harmful content and stop bad behavior.
The decision has already sparked some debate.
Critics argue that this could be an attempt by the government to regulate freedom of speech.
Some civil society groups have raised concerns about the potential for overreach.
It is expected that key figures in the tech industry, like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, will respond to the government’s decision. Musk, in particular, is known for his strong stance on free speech and social media regulation.
It will be interesting to watch how all this plays out.
By Vivian K.