Meta and TikTok Face Sh500 Million Fines Under Proposed Kenyan Law

communications Authority of Kenya headquarters in Nairobi.The proposed online safety bill, 2026,would give the regulator additional powers to oversee digital platforms enforce child protection requirements and take action against companies that violet the laws.

Major social media companies operating in Kenya could face fines of up to Sh500 million under a proposed law seeking to strengthen online safety and protect children from harmful digital content.

The Online Safety Bill, 2026, introduced by Embakasi West Member of Parliament Mark Mwenje, proposes stricter responsibilities for digital platforms, including companies operating popular social media applications.

According to a report published by Education News Kenya on November 7, the proposed legislation would give the Communications Authority of Kenya additional powers to regulate online platforms and enforce child protection requirements.

Under the proposal, companies that fail to comply with the new requirements could face administrative penalties of up to Sh500 million or 10 per cent of their global annual turnover, whichever is higher.

The proposed law also seeks to hold senior company officials accountable for certain violations. Executives could face fines of up to Sh10 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, depending on the offence.

The Bill comes amid growing concerns about the safety of children using digital platforms.

The report cites findings indicating that approximately 1.2 million Kenyan children aged between 12 and 17 have experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse.

The proposed legislation aims to strengthen safeguards for young internet users and place greater responsibility on technology companies to prevent harmful activities on their platforms.

However, the proposals have also raised questions about digital rights, privacy and the extent of government regulation of online communication.

As the Bill undergoes public participation and parliamentary consideration, stakeholders will have an opportunity to examine its provisions and recommend changes.

If enacted, the legislation could introduce significant new compliance obligations for social media companies operating in Kenya.

For now, the proposed fines remain part of a legislative proposal and are not penalties already being enforced.

The debate highlights the challenge of protecting children online while safeguarding the digital rights and freedoms of internet users.

https://educationnews.co.ke/news/meta-tiktok-face-sh500-million-fines-under-proposed-online-safety-law?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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