TikTok To Cut Hundreds of UK Moderation Jobs
TikTok is laying off hundreds of content moderators in the UK, with most roles in its London-based Trust and Safety team at risk. The move is part of a global restructuring, with operations being relocated to other European hubs like Dublin and Lisbon. The company says it aims to “maximize effectiveness and speed” by leaning more heavily on AI moderation tools, which already flag over 85% of rule-breaking content. Affected staff have been invited to apply for other roles within the company.
The layoffs come just weeks after the UK’s Online Safety Act came into force, demanding tougher content controls from platforms or risk fines of up to 10% of global revenue. Critics, including the Communication Workers Union, argue that AI is not ready to replace human moderation and warn that the cuts “put TikTok's millions of British users at risk.” CWU national officer John Chadfield claimed the move “stinks of union-busting,” as it coincides with a union recognition vote among TikTok staff.
While TikTok insists AI reduces the need for moderators to view distressing content, questions remain about whether its machine-learning tools meet UK safety standards. Ofcom has yet to endorse TikTok’s AI-driven age checks, and the data watchdog is already investigating the platform over teen privacy. Despite concerns, TikTok’s European revenue has surged 38% year-on-year, hitting $6.3 billion and underscoring what some see as profits being prioritised over public safety.
