TikTok removed over 1 million videos in the UAE and 16.5 million across the MENA region in the first quarter of 2025, as part of a sweeping effort to enforce safety policies and curb harmful content. The majority of removals were proactive, underscoring the platform's focus on user protection and responsible digital engagement.
TikTok has significantly ramped up its enforcement efforts across the Middle East and North Africa, removing over 1 million videos in the UAE alone during the first quarter of 2025. Across the MENA region, more than 16.5 million videos were deleted for violating the platform’s community guidelines.
Table of contents [Show]
During this period, TikTok intensified its approach in five key MENA countries: the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Morocco. The company banned more than 849,000 live hosts and interrupted over 1.5 million livestreams to curb unsafe and unauthorised online behavior.
Among these, Iraq recorded the highest volume of deletions, with more than 10 million videos removed, and a proactive detection rate exceeding 99.5%. Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco each reported over a million removals, with similarly high proactive moderation rates.
In the UAE:
1,051,226 videos were removed during Q1, with 98.2% flagged before user reports.
A notable 94% of content was taken down within 24 hours of upload.
More than 86,000 live hosts were banned, and over 140,000 livestreams were interrupted for violations.
41,148 videos were restored following successful appeal reviews.
These figures reflect TikTok's dual approach: fast automated removal of infractions paired with a transparent appeals process.
TikTok’s crackdown targeted videos featuring:
Hate speech and harassment
Misinformation
Dangerous, violent, or inciting content
Inappropriate or unsafe livestreams
Content that violates child protection or privacy rules
Live-stream enforcement played a major role, resulting in widespread host suspensions and immediate stream interruptions to prevent harm in real time.
TikTok has adopted a hybrid moderation system combining artificial intelligence with human oversight. This helps flag content quickly while allowing creators to appeal removals. Successful appeals in the UAE and across the region have led to the restoration of thousands of videos, reinforcing the platform's commitment to fairness.
Users are notified when their content is removed, and clear instructions are provided on how to appeal. This level of transparency reflects TikTok’s intention to balance enforcement with user freedom.
TikTok’s enforcement surge coincides with increasing scrutiny of social media platforms in the UAE and the wider region. With digital literacy and online safety becoming central to policy discussions, this level of proactive content moderation is seen as a benchmark for responsible platform behavior.
Many users have welcomed the swift removals, particularly of content deemed harmful or misleading. At the same time, critics emphasize the need for clarity on borderline cases and continued improvements to appeal outcomes for creators.
TikTok plans to deepen its investment in moderation tech, expand collaboration with NGOs and media organizations, and launch educational drives in schools and universities. Future updates are expected on topics like online misinformation, safe livestream practices, and responsible content creation.
As digital consumption grows, especially among younger users, the company aims to lead regional efforts in platform safety, community trust, and policy alignment.
TikTok’s mass removal of content in the UAE and across MENA underscores its firm stance on user safety and compliance. By combining rapid AI detection with a clear appeal process, TikTok is emphasizing responsibility and transparency while setting new standards for digital content moderation across the region.
