TikTok’s Orwellian Move to Silence Sub-Saharan Africa
In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns, TikTok has announced the formation of its first-ever Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa. The council, composed of local experts and officials, is designed to shape TikTok’s policies, product features, and safety processes in the region. But is this a genuine attempt to enhance user safety, or a thinly veiled effort to exert control over online expression?
The Council’s Make-up: A Who’s Who of Compliant Sycophants?
The council members include Prof Guy Berger, a renowned academic, Dennis Coffie, a Ghanaian content creator, and several others with varying degrees of expertise in youth safety, free expression, and hate speech. While it’s refreshing to see local voices represented, it’s difficult not to wonder whether these individuals have been carefully selected to rubber-stamp TikTok’s already problematic policies.
The True Purpose of the Council: Maintaining a Safe Environment for TikTok’s Business Interests
Valiant Richey, global head of outreach and partnerships, Trust and Safety, TikTok, claims that the council will play a crucial role in shaping the platform’s policies and product features. But what does this really mean? Will the council be responsible for creating a safe environment for users to express themselves freely, or will it primarily focus on ensuring that TikTok’s business interests remain unscathed?
TikTok’s Ongoing Issues: From Hateful Speech to Intellectual Property Infringement
TikTok has faced numerous issues, from the spread of hateful speech and disinformation to the misuse of user-generated content for commercial purposes. Despite these problems, the platform has consistently demonstrated a lack of willingness to address them meaningfully. The formation of this council is likely to be yet another attempt to whitewash these issues and maintain the status quo.
Conclusion: A Move that Stacks the Deck Against Free Speech and Creative Expression
In the end, the true significance of TikTok’s Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa lies in its ability to stifle free speech and creative expression. By bringing together local experts and officials, TikTok can manipulate the narrative and silence those who dare to challenge its authority. This is not a step towards creating a safe online environment, but rather a bold attempt to consolidate its grip on the African market.
