Public Outrage in Somalia Due to Government’s Action Against TikTok and Telegram

By Bashir Mohamed Caato
Monday August 28, 2023

Abdulahi Ahmed, residing in the Waberi district of Mogadishu, Somalia, utilizes his mobile phone to browse videos on the popular social media app TikTok. However, on Sunday, the Somali government instated a ban on access to several prominent social media platforms, including TikTok, Telegram, and 1xBet, an online betting platform.

In a letter addressed to telecom companies, Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology directed internet service providers to block access to the aforementioned platforms, citing concerns over security and moral conduct. The directive mandated compliance from internet service providers by midnight on August 24.

The statement issued by the minister stated, “You are being instructed to shut down the aforementioned applications, which are being used by terrorists and immoral groups to disseminate horrific content and misinformation to the public.”

This decision has provoked outrage among the young content creators in Somalia, who heavily rely on TikTok for their livelihoods. Mursal Ahmed, a popular Somali TikToker with over two million followers, expressed his disagreement with the government’s move. He suggested that instead of implementing collective punishment, the ministry should take action against individual users who misuse these platforms.

He further explained that the ban has caught them by surprise, as many of them depend on TikTok for income since job opportunities are scarce in the country. Mursal revealed that he earns a minimum of $2,000 per month from advertising local businesses, which supports his livelihood. Without TikTok, he fears unemployment.

The decision to ban TikTok is not exclusive to Somalia. Last October, the Somali government reportedly deactivated over 40 platforms, including Facebook and Twitter accounts, citing them as “terrorist accounts.” Kenya’s parliament also recently received a petition calling for a ban on TikTok. Concerns over security and inappropriate content have led to these actions, with explicit and extremist content being shared on platforms like Telegram, especially affecting unsupervised youths in the conservative Muslim-majority nation of Somalia.

The spokesperson for TikTok, Ragdah Alazab, acknowledged the concerns and stated that the platform has been working collaboratively with Somalia’s National Communications Authority in a safety campaign. Alazab emphasized TikTok’s commitment to removing accounts and content that promote violence or hate, adding, “We have been in regular communication with the Somali authorities, and we are optimistic about finding a resolution.”

The ban has raised concerns among Somali business owners who relied on TikTok for marketing and reaching potential customers. Ikran Abdullahi, a beauty product entrepreneur with nearly half a million TikTok followers, expressed her worry about the impact on her business. She currently generates around $500 in weekly profits from TikTok sales, but the ban could force her to rent a physical store and potentially lose numerous online customers.

The decision by the Somali government has also faced opposition from within its ranks. Federal lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur, who is active on TikTok with 51,000 followers, believes that the shutdown should have undergone a legislative process rather than being a decision solely made by the executive. He suggested implementing regulations to address harmful and morally inappropriate content, working collaboratively with social media companies, and acknowledging the platforms’ importance as a source of income and a means to engage with the country’s youth.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

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By Bashir Mohamed Caato
Monday August 28, 2023

Abdulahi Ahmed is using his mobile phone to enjoy videos on the renowned social media application TikTok, as he sits outside his residence in the Waberi district of Mogadishu, Somalia. Unfortunately, Somali authorities have recently enacted a ban on various major social media platforms, such as TikTok, Telegram (a messaging app), and the online betting platform 1xBet.

To enforce this ban, Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology issued a letter to telecom companies, instructing internet service providers to block access to these three platforms. The decision to do so is based on concerns related to both security and moral conduct. Internet service providers were given until midnight on August 24 to comply with this directive.

The minister’s statement justified the ban by stating that these applications are used by terrorists and immoral groups to spread horrifying content and misinformation to the public.

This decision has sparked anger among young content creators in Somalia, who earn their livelihoods through platforms such as TikTok. Mursal Ahmed, a popular Somali TikToker with over two million followers, strongly disagrees with the government’s move. He suggests that instead of punishing everyone, the ministry should take action against individual users who misuse these platforms.

Mursal expressed his surprise, as many individuals rely on platforms like TikTok for their income due to a lack of job opportunities in the country. He revealed that he personally earns a minimum of $2,000 per month through advertising for local businesses. If TikTok is shut down, he fears he will be left jobless.

The decision to ban TikTok is not unique to Somalia. Last October, the Somali government reportedly deactivated over 40 platforms, including Facebook and Twitter accounts, claiming they were “terrorist accounts.” A petition has also recently been submitted to Kenya’s parliament advocating for a ban on TikTok. The ban is driven by concerns over security and inappropriate content, with explicit and extremist content being shared on platforms like Telegram. This is particularly worrying for unsupervised young individuals in Somalia, a predominantly conservative Muslim country.

TikTok spokesperson Ragdah Alazab addressed these concerns, stating that the platform has been collaborating with Somalia’s National Communications Authority in a safety campaign. Alazab emphasized TikTok’s commitment to permanently removing reported accounts and content that promote violence or hate. They have been in regular communication with Somali authorities and are hopeful about reaching a resolution.

Business owners in Somalia who rely on TikTok for marketing and reaching customers are worried about the ban. Ikran Abdullahi, a beauty product entrepreneur with nearly half a million TikTok followers, explained that she shifted her entire business to TikTok for its zero cost and accessible market. She currently earns around $500 in weekly profits from TikTok sales. If the ban is implemented, she will be forced to rent a physical store and may lose many online customers.

The government’s decision has also faced opposition from within Somalia. Federal lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur, who is active on TikTok and has 51,000 followers, believes that the shutdown should have gone through a legislative process rather than being a unilateral decision. He suggests implementing regulations to address harmful and morally inappropriate content, collaborating with social media companies, and recognizing the platforms’ importance as a source of income and as a means to engage with the country’s youth.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA