TikTok Announces Inaugural Members of Its Safety Advisory Council in Sub-Saharan Africa

...Strengthens Community Safety with Expanded #SaferTogether Campaign

TikTok is intensifying its commitment to user safety across Sub-Saharan Africa with the introduction of its first-ever Safety Advisory Council in the region, alongside the expansion of its #SaferTogether community education initiative. The eight members council, comprising policymakers, academics, NGOs, and community leaders, aims to foster collaboration in creating a secure and positive environment on the platform. This significant step was unveiled during TikTok’s Safety Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

Since 2020, TikTok has established nine regional Safety Advisory Councils, including a U.S. Content Advisory Council, all focused on critical areas like youth safety, free expression, and hate speech. These councils influence TikTok’s policies, product features, and safety protocols, ensuring the platform adapts to emerging challenges.

The new Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council will enhance these efforts by collaborating with local experts to address regional safety issues and develop proactive policies. Their insights will guide TikTok in both managing current concerns and anticipating future challenges, further solidifying the platform’s dedication to user safety and a positive online experience.

Members of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council are: 

1. Prof Guy Berger, Rhodes University (South Africa)  
2. Dennis Coffie, Content creator (Ghana)  
3. Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster Visiting Research Fellow (UK)  
4. Aisha Dabo, Co-Founder and coordinator of AfricTivistes (Senegal)  
5. Lillian Kariuki, Founder and Executive Director of Watoto Watch Network (Kenya)  
6. Dr Akinola Olojo, Expert on preventing and countering violent extremism (Nigeria)  
7. Prof Medhane Tadesse, Policy academic on peace and security issues (Ethiopia) 
8. Berhan Taye, Independent Researcher (Ethiopia)  

"With the launch of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council, we are demonstrating our commitment to including expert African voices in our Trust and Safety work. This group of leaders was chosen for their broad range of expertise and experience, and we look forward to working with them over the coming years." - Valiant Richey, Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships, Trust and Safety, TikTok 

#SaferTogether: A Community-Centric Approach 

This iteration of the #SaferTogether campaign is designed to engage the community actively in promoting a basic understanding of the platform's community guidelines and safety features. This initiative will include workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of following TikTok’s community standards. The campaign aims to foster a collaborative effort to ensure a secure environment for creative expression. 

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa emphasised, “The community empowerment campaign highlights the importance of safety being a shared responsibility. This part of the campaign will speak directly to the TikTok community, to join us in making TikTok a safer space for all by ensuring they follow the Community Guidelines and use the safety features available to them. With the additional layer that the Safety Advisory Council presents, we believe that safety can be achieved, collectively.” 

A Collaborative Effort with African Partners

TikTok's Community Guidelines are a cornerstone of the platform’s commitment to safety, developed with input from safety experts and community members to establish clear standards for behavior and content. These guidelines aim to create a secure and inclusive environment where users can express themselves creatively without fear of harm. Regular updates ensure they address new safety concerns, reinforcing a respectful online community.

This year, TikTok strengthened its commitment to online safety by partnering with the African Union Commission's Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD). Announced at the first TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana, this collaboration focuses on delivering digital literacy programs across Africa, helping young people and their caregivers safely leverage digital platforms to diversify their livelihoods.

Safaricom, a long-time strategic partner of TikTok, has also voiced strong support for these initiatives. Having collaborated on various projects like TikTok data bundles and the #LevelUpAfrica Creator event, Safaricom recognizes the importance of ensuring safe internet access for all. "The internet is a resource everyone should access safely," said Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC. "We commend TikTok's efforts to enhance online safety in Africa through initiatives like the TikTok Safety Advisory Council and the #SaferTogether campaign."