Video-sharing app TikTok has banned the accounts of far-right agitators Britain First and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson).
In a statement, the company confirmed to Tell MAMA that both accounts “had been subject to an ongoing investigation due to the nature of some of the content posted.”
Multiple content violations concerned the use of hate speech, which fall foul of the platform’s Terms and Conditions.
The ban is permanent, meaning that neither Mr Robinson nor Britain First can return to TikTok.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “Keeping people on TikTok safe is a top priority and our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines clearly outline what is not acceptable on our platform. Content that seeks to promote hateful ideology has no place on TikTok and the accounts belonging to both Tommy Robinson and Britain First have been permanently removed for multiple violations of our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. We’re continuously enhancing our efforts to ensure that individuals and organisations seeking to promote any form of hateful ideology cannot establish a sustainable presence on TikTok.”
Recent investigations exposed their activity on the platform.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and Britain First have been banned from all other major social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat.
Tell MAMA welcomes this ban, as all social media platforms have a duty to protect its users from hate speech, and ban those who breach its policies.