By Ebi Kesiena
The Kenya Film Classification Board has condemned the leaking of intimate images or videos without consent.
In a statement released on Wednesday, KCFB Ceo Christopher Wambua said it’s alarming that sharing of graphic content on social media has been rampant in recent days.
“In the recent past, this vice has not only become rampant but has also taken a disconcerting turn with some bloggers and social media users sharing extremely offensive video content with the potential to cause harm.
“A case in point is the recent streaming of graphic content of a mother killing a minor in Kitengela,” Wambua said.
He said some social media users are increasingly misusing digital apps to host and stream live video sessions of explicit adult shows in blatant breach of the law.
“Some apps are being transformed into digital brothels from midnight onwards. Equally worrying is the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images or videos of individuals in violation of privacy laws,” Wambua said.
The board noted that it is illegal to share intimate images or videos of other parties without their consent.
“A person who transfers, publishes or disseminates including making a digital depiction available for distribution or downloading through telecommunication network or through any other means of transferring data to a computer, the intimate or obscene image of another person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both,” Wambua said.
He added that any person who trades or distributes obscene films is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to two years imprisonment or a fine of Sh7,000.
Further, he said that victims who go through such gross violations should not suffer in silence but seek legal redress.
The board also appealed to parents and caregivers to pay attention and keenly monitor the content their children access on social media.
“In cases where children have access to the internet, smart devices, parents must exercise responsibility to ensure minors don’t access inappropriate content,” reads the statement.
They also urged social media platform operators, online distributors and exhibitors to enforce their community guidelines to avoid misuse of their platforms.
