Bytedance-Owned TikTok Reduces Workforce as Attention Shifts Towards Using AI for Content Moderation

ByteDance’s TikTok is slashing hundreds of jobs worldwide, including a substantial number in Malaysia, as the social media company pivots to expanded use of artificial intelligence in content control.

According to two persons acquainted with the subject, more than 700 positions were cut in Malaysia.

TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, later indicated that the issue affected fewer than 500 employees in the country.

The employees, the majority of whom were involved in the firm’s content moderation activities, were told of their dismissal by email late on Wednesday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they were not permitted to speak with the media.

TikTok acknowledged the job layoffs to Reuters, claiming that “several hundred employees” worldwide will be affected.

“We’re making these changes as part of our ongoing efforts to further strengthen our global operating model for content moderation,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.

The corporation highlighted its commitment to investing $2 billion in trust and safety measures this year.

To review content published on its website, the social media network currently employs both human moderators and computer detection methods.

According to one of the insiders, the IT company intends to combine several of its regional offices and make additional layoffs in October.

Malaysia announced earlier this year that there had been a significant increase in dangerous social media content and requested businesses, such as TikTok, to improve platform monitoring.

In an attempt to combat cyber offences, the Malaysian government has requested social media businesses to apply for an operating licence by January.

This has resulted in employment layoffs for multinational technology firms operating in the country.

We earlier reported that the European Commission has sent a request for information to YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok under the Digital Services Act regarding the design and operation of their recommender algorithms.