TikTok is about to chop a whole lot of UK content material moderation jobs and transfer them to different European areas.
The strategic shift is a part of a broader reorganisation of TikTok’s international Belief and Security operations, aiming to streamline processes and focus operations in fewer areas worldwide.
The layoffs additionally come because the video sharing platform invests in synthetic intelligence (AI) to boost its moderation capabilities.
A TikTok spokesperson, as reported by the BBC, mentioned: “We’re persevering with a reorganisation that we began final yr to strengthen our international working mannequin for Belief and Security, which incorporates concentrating our operations in fewer areas globally.”
Nonetheless, the Communication Staff Union (CWU) expressed issues over the transfer, citing potential dangers to each employee and public security.
CWU Nationwide Officer for Tech John Chadfield criticised the choice, emphasising the significance of human moderation.
“TikTok employees have lengthy been sounding the alarm over the real-world prices of chopping human moderation groups in favour of unexpectedly developed, immature AI options,” Chadfield mentioned.
The affected workers are a part of TikTok’s Belief and Security group in London, in addition to different areas in Asia.
TikTok employs a mix of automated techniques and human moderators, with 85% of rule-breaking posts being eliminated mechanically.
The funding in AI goals to scale back human publicity to distressing content material and enhance effectivity.
Impacted workers can have the chance to use for different inside roles, receiving precedence in the event that they meet the job necessities.
The transition happens because the UK enforces stricter content material regulation through the On-line Security Act, doubtlessly imposing fines of as much as 10% of an organization’s international turnover for non-compliance.
In July, TikTok launched new parental controls to boost consumer security.
Regardless of these measures, the corporate has confronted scrutiny within the UK, together with a “main investigation” by the UK information watchdog.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, employs over 2,500 workers within the UK and is transitioning in the direction of AI-driven moderation globally.
In response to The Guardian, current adjustments embrace the dismissal of 300 content material moderators within the Netherlands and the substitute of 500 workers in Malaysia with AI techniques.
Final week, TikTok employees in Germany went on strike over layoffs within the Belief and Security group.
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