First comment from Likee in response to the crisis of TikTok vlogger “Hanin Hossam”

Jackson Liu, Head of MENA and Europe of BIGO Technology, that owns digital media applications, Bigo Live and Likee, said in a statement that it is unfortunate that recent events have resulted in misrepresentation of BIGO’s platforms and how they work.

The statement came in response to the crisis of the TikTok vlogger “Hanin Hossam” who was arrested recently in Egypt on charges of incitement to immorality after she invited girls to broadcast videos of themselves from homes through the application “Likee” owned by “BIGO” for money.

Liu added: “Whether on the leading social media channels, or on digital media platforms such as ours, the ultimate responsibility for content correctness rests with the creator. The views, opinions, and content of all users are strictly their own and are not a reflection of the platform on which they choose to express themselves on.”

According to the statement, BIGO remains fully committed to upholding regional and national laws and values, while at the same time bringing significant opportunity and value to a new generation of users.

The full statement came as follows..

At BIGO Technology (BIGO), we always believe that technology is a force for good and has the ability to empower people to tap onto new opportunities in the digital economy. Our digital media platforms, Bigo Live and Likee, bring entertainment and community interactions to millions of users around the world, including in the Middle East.

As a Singapore company, we are humbled by the connections that our digital media platforms bring to our users in Egypt and the wider region. BIGO Technology has more than 20 offices around the world, three of which are in the Middle East and North Africa. We aim to create value for our users in the region, new employment opportunities and comply with all regional and national laws and regulations.

Our platforms serve at a unique intersection between social media and direct communications. And to ensure an enjoyable and culturally-appropriate experience for users, BIGO has invested in advanced technology to ensure quality, appropriate content. Content monitoring on our platforms is a full-time process assisted by Artificial Intelligence technology, and any content that contravenes national laws and policies – even from our highest-performing users – is immediately banned and penalised. It is also important to note that all the details as it relates to content safety can be found in the terms and conditions of our social media platforms.

Our data management practices meet the best international and regional standards, and data is never shared with any third party. We also strongly believe in working with local governments and law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and trusted environment for our users.