TikTok UK content moderation jobs at risk as AI takes bigger role

Teams in London and Asia could be affected

Hundreds of TikTok jobs in the UK are under threat as the social media giant shifts more of its content moderation work overseas and increases reliance on AI.

The company confirmed that roles within its Trust and Safety team in London are affected, alongside staff in Asia, as it consolidates operations across fewer global locations.

A TikTok spokesperson told the BBC: “We are continuing a reorganisation that we started last year to strengthen our global operating model for Trust and Safety, which includes concentrating our operations in fewer locations globally.”

TikTok added that the changes are intended to “maximise effectiveness and speed” while reducing the amount of harmful or distressing material seen by human reviewers. The company said its AI systems already remove 85% of rule-breaking posts.

However, unions have warned the cuts could put both employees and users at risk. John Chadfield, CWU national officer for tech, accused the company of “putting corporate greed over the safety of workers and the public”.

“TikTok workers have long been sounding the alarm over the real-world costs of cutting human moderation teams in favour of hastily developed, immature AI alternatives,” he said. The CWU also noted that the announcement comes just as staff prepare to vote on union recognition.

TikTok said affected employees will be able to apply for other internal roles and will be prioritised if they meet the requirements.

Online safety rules

The restructuring comes as the UK tightens rules on online safety. The Online Safety Act, which came into force in July, allows regulators to fine platforms up to 10% of global turnover for failing to protect users from harmful content.

TikTok has introduced new parental controls this year, enabling parents to block accounts and monitor teenagers’ privacy settings. But it continues to face scrutiny. In March, ICO, the UK’s data watchdog launched a “major investigation” into the platform, following concerns over its recommender systems and child safety.