TikTok job cuts: The social media giant cuts hundreds of jobs in the shift toward AI content moderation

TikTok uses both automated detection and human moderators to check material on its network.
TikTok uses both automated detection and human moderators to check material on its network.
October 13, 2024

TikTok employs both automated detection and human moderators to review content on the platform.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that TikTok is making specific changes as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its global operating model for content moderation. The social media platform is laying off hundreds of employees from its global workforce, including a large number of staff in Malaysia, said the company on Friday. They have made this critical decision to shift toward a greater use of AI in content moderation.

TikTok slashes massive jobs in Malaysia.

Two sources familiar with the matter earlier told Reuters that more than 700 jobs have been slashed by TikTok in Malaysia. Owned by China’s ByteDance, TikTok later clarified that less than 500 employees in the country were affected. Earlier this week, most of the employees involved in the company’s content moderation operations were informed of their dismissal by email, said the sources, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media.

TikTok confirmed the layoffs.

In response to Reuters’ queries, TikTok confirmed the layoffs and said that several hundred of their employees were expected to be impacted across the world as part of their more comprehensive plan to improve its moderation operations. The company employs a mix of automated detection and human moderators to review content posted on the site. According to the company website, ByteDance has over 110,000 employees globally in more than 200 cities. The tech firm is also planning for more layoffs next month as it looks to consolidate some of its original operations, as sources revealed. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement, “We’re making these changes as part of our ongoing efforts to further strengthen our global operating model for content moderation.”

TikTok expects to invest $2 billion globally in trust and safety this year and will continue to improve efficiency, with 80% of guidelines–violating content now removed by automated technologies, said the spokesperson. The Malaysian Reserve first reported the layoffs at TikTok. The job cuts in Malaysia have occurred as global technology firms face greater regulatory pressure, and the government has asked social media operators to apply for an operating license by January to combat cybercrimes and offenses.

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