With its dancing challenges and comedy sketches, it’s no surprise why Tiktok is popular with young Kenyans. It’s also a way for them to make money through the app’s gifting service. But there’s a darker side, where young women – and girls as young as 15 – are selling sexual content on livestreams, with some being recruited and exploited by “digital pimps”. Africa Eye’s Debula Kemoli investigates who is profiting. 
 
A spokesperson for Tiktok said in a statement that they have zero tolerance for exploitation. And they enforce strict safety policies, including robust live content rules and moderation in 70 languages, including Swahili.
 
Producers: Nalini Sivathasan and Patrick Clahane
Editors: Pete Murimi and Rebecca Henschke 
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

With its dancing challenges and comedy sketches, it’s no surprise why Tiktok is popular with young Kenyans. It’s also a way for them to make money through the app’s gifting service. But there’s a darker side, where young women – and girls as young as 15 – are selling sexual content on livestreams, with some being recruited and exploited by “digital pimps”. Africa Eye’s Debula Kemoli investigates who is profiting. A spokesperson for Tiktok said in a statement that they have zero tolerance for exploitation. And they enforce strict safety policies, including robust live content rules and moderation in 70 languages, including Swahili. Producers: Nalini Sivathasan and Patrick Clahane Editors: Pete Murimi and Rebecca Henschke Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

TikTok and the digital pimps: Eye Investigates

A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the frontline of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines.Every week, we take you into the minds of the world's most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. And we bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations and The Fifth Floor.

Society & Culture

Documentary

A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the frontline of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Every week, we take you into the minds of the world's most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. And we bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations and The Fifth Floor.

Share TikTok and the digital pimps: Eye Investigates

Sign up to save your podcasts

TikTok and the digital pimps: Eye Investigates

TikTok and the digital pimps: Eye Investigates

More shows like The Documentary Podcast

Global News Podcast

The Archers

From Our Own Correspondent

Business Daily

Newshour

World Business Report

In Our Time

Witness History

The History Hour

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

The Infinite Monkey Cage

The Interview

Lives Less Ordinary

Discovery

BBC Inside Science

The Inquiry

The Audio Long Read

You're Dead to Me

The Bomb

The Global Story

The Explanation