TikTok has announced the formation of an 8-member Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The council, which includes a Kenyan representative, aims to promote a safe and positive online environment.
Members of the Council
- Lillian Kariuki (Founder and Executive Director, Watoto Watch Network, Kenya)
- Prof. Guy Berger (Rhodes University, South Africa)
- Dennis Coffie (Content Creator, Ghana)
- Peter Cunliffe-Jones (University of Westminster Visiting Research Fellow, UK)
- Aisha Dabo (Co-Founder and Coordinator of AfricTivistes, Senegal)
- Dr. Akinola Olojo (Expert on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, Nigeria)
- Prof. Medhane Tadesse (Policy Academic on Peace and Security Issues, Ethiopia)
- Berhan Taye (Independent Researcher, Ethiopia)
Role of the Council
The council will provide expert guidance and insights to TikTok on safety policies, product features, and processes. This will help ensure that the platform remains responsive to evolving challenges in the region.
“The council will provide invaluable insights and help us create a safer platform for our users,” Valiant Richey, Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships, Trust and Safety, TikTok.
#SaferTogether Campaign
TikTok’s #SaferTogether campaign aims to educate the community about platform safety guidelines and features. Through workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships, TikTok seeks to promote a shared responsibility for online safety.
“Safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage the community to actively participate in promoting a positive online environment,” Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa.