Kenyan Felix Kibet sues X (Twitter) for allowing publication of hate speech, porn
A Kenyan is seeking an order to compel Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor to ensure social media platforms in country are constitutionally compliant.
What you need to know:
- Mr Kibet says the acts or omissions of X have made Kenyans of all ages suffer violations of their constitutional rights, erosion of values and public morality.
- Publication on X, he says, are a threat to the very fabric of the Kenyan society.
- Mr Kibet has also complained about X spaces for allowing ungoverned live-streamed audio conversations.
A Kenyan has taken social media giant X to court, accusing the American company of permitting the publication and access to content that constitutes hate speech, incitement to violence and promoting pornography, among other accusations.
Felix Kibet is also accusing the Elon Musk-owned social media giant of permitting the publication of content that disrespects the rights and reputations of others.
Mr Kibet is seeking an order compelling Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor to take measures to ensure that social media platforms in the country are constitutionally compliant and safe for Kenyans.
High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye on Monday certified the case as urgent and directed Mr Kibet to serve all parties named in the petition, ahead of the hearing on January 17.
'Threat to Kenyan society'
Mr Kibet says the acts or omissions of X have made Kenyans of all ages suffer violations of their constitutional rights, erosion of values and public morality.
Publication on X, he says, are a threat to the very fabric of the Kenyan society.
“The petitioner avers that, the 1st respondent (X) in allowing, entertaining, encouraging, acquiescing in and or promoting in its social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter), the publication and access in Kenya of content that disrespects the rights and reputation of others is in contravention of Articles 10 and 19 (3) of the Constitution,” says the petition.
Mr Kibet is accusing the Attorney-General, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya Film Classification Board and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) of failing to discharge their constitutional and statutory mandates and instead remaining passive, thus abetting the illegal, and unconstitutional acts of X.
In the urgent application, he is seeking to have X restrained from permitting the publication and access of content that shows or advertises pornography, nudity and lewdness.
He is also seeking an order stopping the publication and access of content that constitutes hate speech, incitement to violence, advocacy of hatred, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm.
Pseudo accounts, X Spaces
The social media user says X permits users to hold accounts or handles using aliases or unofficial names, or other people’s names and photos.
“Further through it's versatile feature called “Spaces” permits users to have ungoverned live-streamed audio conversations on any topic around the sun, at any time using any character of language including vulgarity and obscenity,” he said.
Mr Kibet further says X has allowed the publication posts that unnecessarily reveal information on Kenyans relating to their private affairs or family.
He is also seeking an order compelling X to delete all publications he has complained of and also delete or suspend all accounts that use names other than their official names as registered in official government records.
