Hundreds of UK TikTok Moderators Leave Amid Safety Concerns and Shift to AI
Over 400 UK TikTok Trust and Safety workers signed mutual termination agreements to leave by 31 October, with hundreds already departed and five remaining in consultation. The offboarding process involved handing in laptops, revoking access to systems, and placing workers on gardening leave until 30 December.
TikTok told MPs these cuts remain proposals and said it will continue to engage with potentially affected staff, stressing compliance with UK employment law. Mass layoffs in August primarily targeted the Trust and Safety team, prompting unions to warn that these reductions could adversely impact online safety. MPs and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee are seeking clarity and transparency on safety rates following the cuts.
TikTok plans to increase the use of AI in moderation, deploying advanced technology to improve speed and consistency of content review. However, some whistleblowers caution that AI is not yet ready to fully handle nuanced content, posing risks to safety. Additionally, there are reports that moderation work is being offshored to agencies abroad, with job adverts posted in Lisbon indicating offshore staffing.
Critics including CWU official John Chadfield and TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak have called for transparency and prudence regarding moderation changes. Dame Chi Onwurah and the committee are demanding evidence on the impact to safety and moderation effectiveness after these staffing changes.
TikTok states that over 85% of content removed for violating rules is identified and removed by automated technologies, advocating a combined technology and human approach to maintaining platform safety.
