Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has warned Kenyans against sharing offensive audio and visual content on social their media platforms as it will now attract a prosecution with a penalty of ksh 200,000 if found guilty.
Acting KFCB executive chief officer Christopher Wambua noted the worrying note on how social media users and bloggers are continually sharing graphic video contents that could cause harm to recipients without any slightest concern.
Wambua further stated that some digital apps users are misusing the applications to host and stream live video sessions adult shows, which is a violation of the country’s laws. Some users also share private videos of other third parties without their consent.
“It is illegal to share intimate images or videos of third parties without their consent. We also urge social media operators, online distributors and exhibitors to enforce their community guidelines strictly to avoid misuse of their platforms,”
The Kenyan law criminalizes the dissemination, distribution, and downloading of private or obscene images of another person through a telecommunications network.
Mr. Wambua used the example of the recent streaming of graphic content showing a mother killing a minor in Kitengela. He said those who shared the video have absolutely no regard for the interests and safety of children and other vulnerable members in society.
The Acting CEO insisted that freedom of expression in the constitution does not allow or give permission to the infringement of the rights of children, youth, and individuals whose privacy has been violated.
The Board has promised to continue to monitor various platforms to collect evidence for onward transmission to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for prosecution.
If anyone is found guilty of sharing or downloading unwanted graphic content from the social media apps, then he will have to part with 200k as fine
This regulations come amidst rising cases of graphic videos going viral on social media platforms. From horrifying videos of people being killed to intimate videos thirds parties who often did not give consent.