TikTok removes 920,000 videos in South Africa to enhance user safety

TikTok has stepped up its commitment to safeguarding its vibrant South African community, as revealed in its recently published Q3 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

In a notable effort to curtail harmful content, the social media platform said on Tuesday that it removed over 920,000 videos in South Africa alone between July and September 2025, signalling a determined approach to user safety and well-being.

Of the content deleted, an 99.5% was proactively removed before any user complaints were lodged and 96.7% was deleted within 24 hours of posting.

This proactive strategy mirrors TikTok's global actions, with a staggering 204 million videos removed worldwide during the same quarter, representing about 0.7% of all uploaded content.

The platform’s dedication to rapid response underlines its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for its users.

Central to TikTok's content moderation strategy is the utilisation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

This quarter saw a record 91% of violative content being removed via automated systems, which ensures that the removal process is both consistent and expedited.

As part of its ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the platform, TikTok also deleted more than 118 million fake accounts and over 22 million accounts suspected to belong to users under the age of 13.

Focusing on community well-being

Building on the momentum of the 2025 Digital Well-Being Summit held in Johannesburg, TikTok has made strides in promoting mental health and safety.

Between July and September 2025, 98.3% of content relating to mental health was removed within 24 hours of posting, a figure that highlights the platform's focus on supporting users' mental well-being.

In addition, nearly 100,000 videos were taken down for violating policies related to hate speech and violence. TikTok is firmly committed to eradicating bullying and harassment, reinforcing the importance of protecting every user's dignity.

It has also actively monitored LIVE sessions, interrupting 150,000 broadcasts for guideline violations, which made up 2% of total LIVE streams during this period.

Further showcasing TikTok’s dedication to user well-being, the platform announced an array of new features in November, including a Time and Well-Being space.

This initiative aims to encourage users to develop mindful digital habits and engage in technology with greater purpose.

The launch of four new Well-being Missions provides users with accessible, enjoyable tasks designed to promote constructive and confident use of technology, particularly among teenagers.

The combination of sophisticated AI moderation and the expertise of a dedicated team of trust and safety professionals empowers TikTok to efficiently eliminate content that breaches its Community Guidelines, ensuring a safe space for all.

As social media landscapes evolve, the emphasis on combating misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content remains crucial to protecting users and their mental health.

BUSINESS REPORT