TikTok to Cut 300 UK Trust and Safety Jobs Amid AI Moderation Shift

TikTok has confirmed plans to lay off several hundred content moderation and trust and safety staff in the United Kingdom as part of a global reorganization to shift toward AI-driven content moderation [1]. The company has informed affected employees through internal communications, with reports indicating that roles in London will be replaced with automated systems designed to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs [2]. The move coincides with the enforcement of the UK’s Online Safety Act, which mandates stricter content control measures and imposes potential fines of up to £18 million for non-compliance [3].

According to the Communication Workers Union, approximately 300 people work in TikTok’s London trust and safety department, and most of them will be impacted by the restructuring [1]. Internal emails seen by the Financial Times suggest that the company plans to cease "moderation and quality assurance work" at its London site, aiming to centralize operational expertise in specific locations [2]. A collective consultation process has been initiated, signaling the start of broader global changes in how TikTok manages content [4].

TikTok is also implementing similar workforce reductions in South and South-East Asia, highlighting a coordinated strategy to automate content moderation across key markets [4]. The shift has sparked criticism, with some pointing out that the layoffs were announced just before a planned union voting period, potentially affecting labor representation efforts [5]. The company attributes the changes to technological advancements, particularly in large language models, which are reshaping how it approaches content moderation [3].

The UK’s Online Safety Act has prompted TikTok to introduce new “age assurance” controls and explore machine-learning tools to infer users’ ages based on behavior and interactions [3]. These AI-based systems are still under evaluation by Ofcom and have yet to receive formal approval. The regulator’s oversight remains a critical factor in determining the success of TikTok’s automation strategy in the region.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., TikTok continues to face regulatory uncertainty. Last year, a ruling required its parent company, ByteDance, to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets or demonstrate progress toward a sale. However, recent political developments have stalled enforcement of this mandate. President Donald Trump has dismissed national security concerns around the app as “highly overrated” and suggested potential extensions for any required divestment [3].

The restructuring reflects a broader industry trend toward automation, driven by regulatory pressures and cost-reduction goals. However, it also raises concerns about the quality of content moderation and the long-term stability of AI-based systems. While TikTok emphasizes that technological advances are central to its strategy, the transition has sparked debate over the balance between efficiency and accountability in content governance [1].

Source:

[1] The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktok-to-lay-off-hundreds-of-u-k-content-moderators-in-ai-push-d040ae21

[2] The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tiktok-bytedance-cwu-union-b2812500.html

[3] Cryptopolitan https://www.cryptopolitan.com/tiktok-ai-moderators-us-future-hangs/

[4] BERNAMA - Malaysian National News Agency https://bernama.com/en/news.php//news.php?id=2459665