In a pivotal move to enhance safety in digital environments, TikTok partnered with the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) to convene a roundtable in Lagos, addressing the urgent challenge of technology-enabled gender-based violence (TFGBV) in Nigeria.
The discussion centered on refining content moderation techniques, with a particular emphasis on combating hate speech that disproportionately targets women and girls. This gathering set the stage for a joint initiative focused on monitoring and dismantling harmful online narratives, aiming to strengthen and empower digital communities.
Jesse Cann, Head of Research at the Cape Town-based non-profit CABC, remarked:
“Our collaboration with TikTok is dedicated to safeguarding users from damaging content on social media platforms. Today’s focus is on hate speech, especially that which is gendered, placing women and girls at the heart of this critical conversation.”
The event united a broad spectrum of stakeholders committed to tackling online abuse and fostering safer digital spaces.
Tokunbo Ibrahim-Okuribido, TikTok’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for West Africa, shared insights into the platform’s tailored approach for the region.
Joining him were Keagile Makgoba, TikTok’s Communications Lead for sub-Saharan Africa, and Dudu Mkhize, Outreach and Partnership Manager, highlighting TikTok’s dedication to collaborating with local experts and organizations to craft solutions that resonate with Nigeria’s unique context.
The Lagos roundtable commenced with an agenda overview, followed by a presentation from TikTok detailing its content moderation framework. The session included interactive discussions and breakout groups aimed at deepening understanding of gendered hate speech and strategies to protect women and girls online.
About the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC)
Established in 2019 in South Africa, the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to data-driven social transformation. It stands as the country’s first independent entity of its kind, leveraging data storytelling to address societal challenges.
CABC’s work spans multiple domains including social and political polarization, systemic biases, public health, and digital platform safety. The organization collaborates with platforms like TikTok and has uncovered covert language used by predatory networks on platforms such as X.
Founded to counteract the misuse of the internet, CABC confronts the reality that the web, once envisioned as a democratizing force for connection and information, has increasingly become a battleground for division, misinformation, and exploitation.
The organization’s mission is to identify, expose, and disrupt damaging online narratives while fostering secure and empowered digital communities.
TikTok’s Commitment to User Safety in Africa
TikTok has consistently reinforced its dedication to protecting its African user base.
According to TikTok’s Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, over 2.1 million videos were removed in Nigeria alone, representing less than 1% of all content uploaded in the country.
In November 2022, TikTok introduced the #SaferTogether campaign in Nigeria, marking its first initiative of this kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. This launch also featured a collaboration with the Data Scientists Network (DSN) to bolster digital safety awareness.
Through this partnership, DSN facilitated workshops within communities in Abuja and Lagos, engaging parents, educators, and guardians to enhance their understanding of the digital landscape and equip them to support youth in navigating online spaces securely.
The Community Guidelines Enforcement Report also reaffirmed TikTok’s ongoing investment in advanced content moderation technologies designed to protect its diverse global community.
“TikTok remains committed to transparency and platform safety, continuously enhancing moderation tools to create a secure environment for users in Nigeria and worldwide,” the report states.
In June 2024, TikTok removed more than 178 million videos globally, with 144 million of these taken down through automated systems. These innovations help reduce the workload on human moderators and limit their exposure to harmful content.
While TikTok is widely recognized for its entertainment value, it has grown into a multifaceted platform supporting promotion, education, and social advocacy. Creators and businesses leverage TikTok’s high engagement rates to build communities and reach extensive audiences, often outperforming other social media networks.
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