Senegal has decided to uphold its ban on TikTok, with authorities insisting that the company must agree to establish a mechanism for the removal of accounts.
The country's Communication Minister, Moussa Bocar Thiam, made this announcement during a recent press conference, highlighting that discussions with TikTok are ongoing.
The ban on TikTok was initially put in place in August, coinciding with the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. The government cited concerns about the app being used to disseminate "hateful and subversive messages" that posed a threat to the nation's stability.
Prior to this, a power struggle between Sonko and President Macky Sall had led to violent protests in June, which had a significant impact on Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa.
During negotiations with TikTok, the government has been focused on several key areas. They have sought to enhance platform regulation, understand how TikTok's algorithm functions, ensure data protection, and advocate for fair compensation for content creators. The aim is to enable young people to sustain a livelihood through social media.
Senegal's decision to maintain the TikTok ban underscores its commitment to addressing these concerns and maintaining stability in the country.