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TikTok and the digital pimps: Eye Investigates

Debula Kemoli investigates the sexual exploitation of girls on TikTok live streams.

With its dancing challenges and comedy sketches, it’s no surprise why Tiktok is popular with young Kenyans. It’s also a way for them to make money through the app’s gifting service. But there’s a darker side, where young women – and girls as young as 15 – are selling sexual content on livestreams, with some being recruited and exploited by “digital pimps”. Africa Eye’s Debula Kemoli investigates who is profiting.

A spokesperson for Tiktok said in a statement that they have zero tolerance for exploitation. And they enforce strict safety policies, including robust live content rules and moderation in 70 languages, including Swahili.

Producers: Nalini Sivathasan and Patrick Clahane
Editors: Pete Murimi and Rebecca Henschke
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

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