Kazakhstan moves to curb 'trash streamers' online

Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to curb "trash streamers" whose online behavior violates public decency and potentially endangers minors. The Interior Ministry has stated its commitment to cleaning up the internet, citing the widespread availability of offensive content to a broad audience, including children.

"In pursuit of views, likes and donations, they used obscene language, demonstrated indecent behavior, staged dangerous pranks and insulted other people," the ministry explained. "Of particular concern is that such content becomes available every day to a wide audience, including minors."

These actions have led to arrests and fines. In Shymkent, a 48-year-old man was sentenced to 10 days in jail for using obscene language during a TikTok livestream. A similar offense in Taldykorgan saw a 44-year-old woman fined after being held accountable for disturbing public order with obscene language during a livestream. She had a prior offense for similar behavior.

Further enforcement actions include the arrest of a 26-year-old man in Pavlodar, who was detained for 20 days after driving a car without a seatbelt and using obscene language during a livestream. In Turkestan, a streamer known by several online nicknames was fined for using obscene language and exhibiting aggressive behavior during her livestreams.

The Interior Ministry previously announced it would publicly name "trash streamers" for preventive purposes, warning that anonymity on social media does not exempt individuals from legal responsibility. The crackdown aims to establish accountability and deter the creation and dissemination of harmful online content.

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In pursuit of views, likes and donations, they used obscene language, demonstrated indecent behavior, staged dangerous pranks and insulted other people. Of particular concern is that such content becomes available every day to a wide audience, including minors.