TikTok removes millions of videos across MENA – 1 million from UAE
Restoration figures reveal appeals process is actively in use
DUBAI: TikTok has published its Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, highlighting extensive measures to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive user environment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
From January to March 2025, over 16.5 million videos were removed across Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, UAE, and Morocco for breaching the platform’s Community Guidelines.
In a broader global context, TikTok intensified efforts against harmful LIVE content, removing over 19 million violative LIVE videos worldwide during the first quarter – marking a 50% increase from the previous period. This underscores the platform’s increasing reliance on advanced moderation technology designed to swiftly detect and address livestream violations.
In MENA, TikTok banned 849,976 LIVE hosts and interrupted over 1.5 million livestreams, including a significant number in the UAE.
What happened in UAE?
During Q1 2025, TikTok removed 1,051,226 videos in the United Arab Emirates for violations of its Community Guidelines. The platform reported a proactive removal rate of 98.2%, with 94% of harmful content taken down within 24 hours. These figures suggest that the majority of violative content in the country was detected and removed before users even reported it.
The UAE also saw enforcement on LIVE content, with 86,790 LIVE hosts banned and 140,295 livestreams interrupted due to policy violations. These figures highlight TikTok’s growing focus on preventing harmful real-time broadcasts through both automated systems and human moderation.
How did other MENA countries perform?
In Egypt, TikTok removed 2.9 million videos, achieving a 99.6% proactive removal rate and a 94.3% 24-hour takedown rate. Egypt also led the region in enforcement on LIVE content, with 347,935 hosts banned and 587,246 livestreams interrupted.
Iraq registered the highest number of video removals in MENA, with more than 10 million videos taken down during the quarter. A 99.5% proactive detection rate and 95.5% of removals within 24 hours made Iraq’s performance one of the most robust. LIVE enforcement was also notable, with 346,335 hosts banned and 649,551 livestreams disrupted.
In Morocco, TikTok removed 1,040,981 videos, with a 98.9% proactive removal rate and 92.1% removed within 24 hours. LIVE-related action included 44,121 banned hosts and 77,396 interrupted livestreams.
Lebanon saw 1,349,478 videos removed, with a 99.5% proactive removal rate. A remarkable 96.9% of content was taken down within 24 hours, reflecting one of the fastest response rates in the region. The platform also banned 24,795 LIVE hosts and disrupted 45,536 livestreams.
Appeals and transparency
TikTok maintains a structured appeals process, allowing users to contest moderation decisions. During Q1 2025, 41,148 videos were restored in the UAE after successful appeals. The highest number of restored videos was seen in Iraq with 209,291, followed by Egypt with 144,605, Morocco with 53,525, and Lebanon with 31,880. These figures reflect the platform’s attempt to balance strict enforcement with fairness.
TikTok enforces its Community Guidelines through a hybrid model that combines automated systems with human moderators. Users are notified when content is removed and are given the opportunity to appeal.
The platform also continues to build trust through ongoing education and outreach. Digital literacy initiatives, media partnerships, and safety campaigns across MENA aim to empower users with the knowledge needed for responsible content creation.
While content moderation remains a core priority, TikTok’s enforcement efforts are supported by its goal of nurturing a space where creativity can thrive.