Kazakhstan proposed stricter punishment for trash streamers

Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstan has proposed toughening liability for trash streams and other illegal content broadcast live. This was stated by Kurultai deputy Zharkynbek Amantayuly.
In his deputy inquiry addressed to Minister of Culture and Information Arman Kyrykbai and Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov, Amantayuly said he considers it necessary to legally define the concept of “trash streaming” and impose tougher penalties for promoting violence, dangerous pranks, insults and deliberate provocations.
Illegal content is turning into a way to make money
The deputy noted that social networks have become an integral part of public life, while the audience for live broadcasts continues to grow. At the same time, as the digital environment develops, the amount of problematic content is also increasing.
According to Amantayuly, live broadcasts increasingly feature obscene language, insults and degrading remarks, as well as dangerous practical jokes, or pranks.

“Some streamers do this deliberately because rude and provocative content attracts more views. In turn, views are converted into likes and donations, and in some cases, into advertising revenue,” the inquiry says.

As Amantayuly noted, the Interior Ministry has already taken measures against the authors of such content. Several social media users have been held administratively liable for distributing illegal materials.
The deputy believes that the requirements of law and order should also apply to the digital space.
Streamers provoke conflicts for views
According to Amantayuly, live broadcasts on social media are becoming increasingly commercial. Some streamers deliberately provoke conflicts, mock and insult people in order to attract the audience’s attention.
At the same time, such content can be watched by thousands of users simultaneously, including minors.
As an example, the deputy cited the case of a Kazakh citizen who was held accountable for a prank in China. According to Amantayuly, in an attempt to attract public attention, he committed actions that damaged the image of our country.
The deputy noted that such behavior is not perceived in all countries as a normal part of internet content. In a number of states, such actions are regarded as a serious violation of behavioral norms and the law and are subject to public condemnation.
Amantayuly also referred to the experience of the United States and the European Union. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission sets requirements for transparency in digital advertising and the labeling of advertising content, while in the European Union, the Digital Services Act strengthens platforms’ responsibility for illegal content and provides mechanisms to protect users’ rights.

“Thus, the digital space is becoming a new environment where issues of legal responsibility and commercial interests intersect,” the deputy believes.

Amantayuly stressed that this is not about restricting freedom of speech. In his opinion, it is necessary to clearly define the boundary between freedom of expression and responsibility for illegal actions.
In this regard, the deputy proposed legally defining the concept of “trash streaming” and strengthening liability for promoting violence, dangerous pranks, insults and deliberate provocative actions during live broadcasts.
He also considers it necessary to work with TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms to develop a mechanism for promptly identifying and blocking illegal live broadcasts, as well as identifying their authors.
In addition, the deputy proposed strengthening protection for citizens who are shown in live broadcasts without their consent or whose honor and dignity are violated in this way.
Another initiative is to create a unified state system for continuous monitoring of illegal content in live broadcasts and on social media.