TikTok Removed 3.6 Million Nigerian Videos in the First Quarter of 2025 as Part of Safety Shake-up

Short-form video app TikTok has removed 3.6 million Nigerian videos from its platform in the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant 50% increase compared to the last quarter of 2024. This action is part of TikTok’s ongoing effort to create a safer and more secure digital space for its users in Nigeria and worldwide.

TikTok revealed this in its Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, emphasizing its focus on protecting users by enforcing strict community guidelines to curb harmful content. From January to March 2025, the platform removed 3.6 million Nigerian videos, with 92.1% of these videos taken down within 24 hours of being posted. Notably, TikTok’s technology allowed it to detect and remove 98.4% of this content proactively, which means the videos were removed before any user reported them.

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In addition to video removals, TikTok banned 42,196 LIVE rooms and interrupted 48,156 live streams in Nigeria that violated community guidelines. While TikTok’s LIVE feature helps creators and viewers connect and build communities, the platform has strengthened its enforcement of LIVE Monetisation Guidelines to ensure harmful content does not get monetized.

The report underlines TikTok’s dedication to using advanced technology and expert moderation teams to improve its systems. These efforts help remove harmful content quickly and before it reaches larger audiences[1]. Globally, the platform removed over 211 million videos in the same quarter, with more than 184 million taken down using automated systems. TikTok’s global proactive detection rate reached 99%, showing strong progress in protecting users everywhere.

TikTok also took action against covert operations in West Africa by removing 129 accounts believed to be tied to secret attempts to influence political, economic, or military situations. This reflects the platform’s broader commitment to transparency and user safety.

Further boosting safety, TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources in Nigeria through a partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organization. This will give young users access to local expert support for issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment, helping vulnerable users find help within the app.

TikTok’s efforts are not limited to enforcement but also include improving digital well-being. The company hosted the “My Kind of TikTok Digital Well-being Summit” to bring together experts, NGOs, creators, and media leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to discuss content moderation and online safety.

Importantly, TikTok states that the 3.6 million Nigerian videos removed represent only a tiny fraction of the total videos posted by Nigerian users quarterly. Most content on the platform is positive and empowering, in line with TikTok’s mission to inspire creativity and joy while maintaining a safe space for users.

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The increased video removals continue a trend from previous quarters. For instance, between July and September 2024, TikTok removed over 2 million Nigerian videos for violating guidelines, with similarly high rates of proactive detection and rapid removal. This ongoing approach shows TikTok’s commitment to improving content moderation systems constantly.

TikTok’s removal of over 3.6 million Nigerian videos in Q1 of 2025 is a clear step in their safety shake-up. It highlights the company’s use of cutting-edge technology, proactive content detection, and partnerships for user support, all aimed at providing a safer and more respectful experience for Nigerian users and others globally.

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