Google has declined most of the online content removal demands made by the Kenyan government, according to its most recent Global Transparency Report. In the six‑month period ending June 2025, the tech giant rejected about 62 % of takedown requests submitted by state authorities — a significant rise compared to previous reporting periods.
Sharp Growth in Rejections
The latest figures show a clear trend of increasing refusal rates:
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January–June 2025: ~62 % of requests rejected
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July–December 2024: 46 % rejection rate
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January–June 2024: Only 25 % were turned down
At the same time, Kenya notably increased the volume of requests it sent to Google platforms. Most focused on YouTube videos and Google Search results, covering a range of issues such as alleged national security threats, hate speech, defamation, privacy concerns and claims of impersonation.
Why So Many Requests Are Turned Down
Google says it evaluates every takedown demand against both its internal content standards and the legal context in which it operates. Many of the rejected requests reportedly lacked key details or failed to meet the company’s criteria for removal. Where content clearly violated policies — such as impersonation or privacy breaches — Google acted on the request.
The company also highlighted that government requests often involve political material or criticism, which can fall on the protected side of free expression under its rules.
Broader Context: Digital Regulation and Free Speech
The growing number of content removal demands from the government comes amid increased scrutiny of social media and global tech platforms in Kenya. Authorities have pushed for stronger regulation and even local operational presence by large tech firms.
Globally, governments routinely request that platforms remove material they consider unlawful, harmful or dangerous. These requests vary widely in nature and scale, often reflecting domestic legal frameworks and political environments. Critics and civil liberties groups warn that overly broad takedown demands can be misused to suppress dissent or restrict access to information, raising concerns about freedom of expression online.
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