On August 2, Senegalese authorities decided to suspend the social network TikTok, considering that the platform allowed the dissemination of "hateful and subversive messages threatening the stability of the country."
Two months later, the "temporary" suspension is still in effect. The social network thus remains in the local government's crosshairs. At a press conference, the authorities expressed their intention to maintain the suspension, demanding the implementation of measures including the opening of a physical office in Senegal, the appointment of moderators, and the deletion of fake accounts and accounts with content deemed "subversive."
According to a recent study conducted by GEOPOLL, TikTok is now the second most used social network in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Facebook, which remains the most popular social network. Indeed, TikTok usage in the region has grown significantly in recent years. According to the study, the Chinese social network is used by 60% of respondents, compared to 54% for Instagram and 49% for X (formerly Twitter). The app, which has a billion subscribers, is used by nearly 500,000 users in Senegal.