TikTok removed nearly 19 million videos in the MENA region in Q2 2025📉

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In its Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for the second quarter of 2025, TikTok says it removed nearly 19 million videos across the Middle East and North Africa between April and June. The company points to expanded moderation tools as part of its efforts to maintain a safe and authentic platform, as rule violations continue to rise in several countries.

A large-scale moderation push across six countries 🌍

TikTok reports removing 18,998,721 videos across six MENA countries: Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. According to the platform, these takedowns were carried out to enforce its Community Guidelines and preserve what it describes as a “constructive, safe, and authentic” environment.

The company says these figures reflect sustained investment in advanced moderation technologies designed to quickly detect harmful content and abusive behavior.

At the same time, TikTok significantly stepped up enforcement on live broadcasts. Globally, more than 36.7 million live sessions violating platform rules were shut down during Q2 2025.

Within the MENA region alone, 2,999,268 livestreams were terminated, and 1,331,424 LIVE hosts were banned. TikTok says these measures underscore its commitment to consistent and reliable moderation.

Egypt: nearly 3 million videos removed 🇪🇬

Egypt remains one of the most affected countries, with 2,930,606 videos taken down in Q2 2025. TikTok reports a 99.6% proactive removal rate, meaning the content was flagged and removed before users reported it.

According to the company, 95.8% of violating content was removed within 24 hours. TikTok also banned more than 524,000 LIVE hosts and shut down 1.18 million livestreams in the country.

Saudi Arabia: close to 5 million removals 🇸🇦

In Saudi Arabia, TikTok removed 4,911,695 videos during the quarter. The proactive removal rate reached 99.3%, with 89.3% of the content taken down within a day.

United Arab Emirates: over 1 million videos taken down 🇦🇪

In the UAE, TikTok says it removed 1,050,943 videos for Community Guidelines violations. The platform reports 98.9% proactive removals and 95.8% of content taken down within 24 hours, alongside nearly 192,500 livestreams shut down and 105,985 LIVE hosts banned.

Morocco: more than 700,000 videos removed 🇲🇦

In Morocco, TikTok removed 721,029 videos during the second quarter. Proactive moderation remained high at 99.2%, while 96.2% of violating content was taken down within a day. The company also reports 134,652 livestreams interrupted and 70,195 LIVE hosts banned.

Iraq: over 8 million videos removed 🇮🇶

Iraq recorded one of the highest figures in the region, with 8,316,646 videos removed. The proactive removal rate stood at 99.5%. On the LIVE side, 1,391,264 livestreams were shut down and 589,637 hosts were banned.

Lebanon: more than 1 million videos taken down 🇱🇧

In Lebanon, TikTok reports removing 1,064,802 videos, with:

• 99.4% proactive removals
• 97.5% of content taken down within 24 hours
• 91,459 livestreams shut down
• 41,439 LIVE hosts banned

Live monetization penalties under increased scrutiny 💰

TikTok says it is expanding the public safety data it shares around LIVE monetization enforcement. Globally, during Q2 2025:

• 2,321,813 LIVE sessions were penalized through warnings or demonetization
• 1,040,356 creators were affected

The platform says warnings are primarily used as an educational step before applying stricter penalties.

TikTok also highlights the transparency of its appeal process, which allows users to contest moderation decisions. Videos restored after appeal include:

• Iraq: 189,037
• Saudi Arabia: 157,249
• Egypt: 136,171
• Morocco: 39,503
• United Arab Emirates: 39,116
• Lebanon: 22,488

A strategy aimed at building a safer digital space 🔐

TikTok reiterates that its mission is to “inspire creativity and bring joy,” while continuing to scale its safety efforts through a combination of:

• advanced moderation technologies
• dedicated safety experts
• digital literacy programs
• partnerships with media organizations and local communities

According to the company, this approach is designed to ensure creativity can thrive within a more secure and responsible digital environment.

👉 Do you think TikTok is doing enough to protect users, or should the platform go even further in its moderation efforts?