TikTok has announced it is laying off hundreds of employees globally, including a significant portion of its workforce in Malaysia, as part of its ongoing shift toward increased use of artificial intelligence in content moderation. The move comes as the company, owned by China’s ByteDance, aims to enhance its efficiency in handling harmful content on the platform.
TikTok confirmed the layoffs, stating that several hundred employees across its global operations would be affected. While initial reports suggested that more than 700 jobs were slashed in Malaysia, the company later clarified that fewer than 500 employees in the country were impacted.
The affected employees, many of whom were involved in content moderation, were informed of their dismissals via email, according to two sources familiar with the matter. These sources requested anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
“Changes like these are part of our ongoing efforts to further strengthen our global operating model for content moderation,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. The company said it is investing $2 billion globally in trust and safety initiatives this year and noted that it is continuously improving its moderation capabilities. Currently, 80% of content that violates TikTok’s guidelines is removed by automated technologies.
TikTok uses a combination of AI-powered systems and human moderators to monitor content posted by its more than 1 billion users worldwide. The company’s increased reliance on automation reflects a broader industry trend as social media platforms seek to balance the volume of content with the need for swift and accurate moderation.
ByteDance, which operates TikTok and other digital platforms, employs more than 110,000 people across 200 cities globally, according to its website. In addition to the current round of layoffs, the technology firm is expected to make further cuts next month as part of a plan to consolidate its regional operations, one of the sources said.
The layoffs were first reported by Malaysian business outlet The Malaysian Reserve.
Regulatory Pressures in Malaysia
The job cuts come as global technology companies face growing regulatory pressure in Malaysia. Earlier this year, the Malaysian government introduced new measures aimed at curbing cyber offenses, including harmful social media content. Authorities have asked social media platforms, including TikTok, to apply for operating licenses by January 2024, as part of these efforts.
Malaysia has seen a notable increase in harmful online content, prompting officials to push for stronger content moderation from tech companies. In June, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced the government’s intention to hold social media companies accountable for monitoring their platforms more closely.
“We want to ensure that these platforms are doing their part in curbing the spread of harmful content and ensuring a safer online environment for all Malaysians,” Fadzil said during a press conference.
While TikTok did not comment on the direct impact of Malaysia’s new regulatory requirements on its operations, the layoffs signal a broader restructuring effort within the company as it looks to improve efficiency in the face of growing scrutiny.
Industry Trends
TikTok’s shift toward greater AI use in content moderation mirrors a broader trend among tech companies grappling with the sheer volume of user-generated content. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter also use a mix of automated detection systems and human moderators to flag and remove inappropriate content. However, human moderators are still critical in addressing nuanced content that AI systems may struggle to handle.
Despite advancements in AI technology, the process of content moderation remains complex and resource-intensive. Companies must constantly refine their systems to adapt to new forms of harmful content, while also navigating legal and regulatory challenges in different markets.
TikTok’s $2 billion investment in trust and safety reflects its commitment to improving the platform’s security measures. The company said it remains focused on maintaining a safe environment for users while ensuring efficient and effective moderation of the vast amounts of content uploaded daily.
As TikTok continues to grow, it faces increasing scrutiny from governments and regulators worldwide over issues ranging from user privacy to content moderation. The latest round of layoffs signals that the company is making significant changes to meet these challenges, with a focus on enhancing its content review processes through automation and regional restructuring.
The full extent of the impact on TikTok’s operations remains to be seen, but the company’s increased reliance on AI and forthcoming regulatory pressures in markets like Malaysia suggest further shifts in the way content is managed on the platform.
