TikTok, the popular short-form video platform owned by ByteDance, is reportedly laying off hundreds of employees, with a significant impact on its Malaysian workforce. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at enhancing the company’s AI-based content moderation capabilities and streamlining operations globally.
Initial reports from Reuters suggested over 700 job cuts in Malaysia, but TikTok later clarified that the number affected was less than 500. The layoffs primarily target content moderation staff, who were informed of the decision via email on Wednesday. The company confirmed the global job cuts, emphasizing their focus on optimizing moderation processes. TikTok employs a combination of automated systems and human moderators to ensure content compliance with its community guidelines.
ByteDance, with a workforce exceeding 110,000 across more than 200 cities, plans further layoffs next month to streamline regional operations. The company is investing heavily in trust and safety, aiming to reach a point where 80% of guideline-violating content is automatically detected and removed by AI. The layoffs coincide with increasing regulatory scrutiny in Malaysia, where the government has mandated that social media platforms obtain operating licenses by January to address cybercrime concerns.
The layoffs at TikTok are part of a larger trend of restructuring within the company. Earlier this year, TikTok faced pressure from U.S. legislation, as President Joe Biden introduced a law that could force TikTok to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. This led to reports of planned layoffs across various departments, including operations, content, and marketing. In addition, TikTok recently underwent a significant leadership overhaul, with the resignation of its global marketing chief, Kate Jhaveri. This change was part of a strategy to consolidate the global brand and communications division under a single leader, Zenia Mucha.
While the impact of AI on employment is a topic of ongoing discussion, Meta Platforms Inc. co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes that AI could automate some jobs while creating new opportunities. He envisions a future where people can focus on their passions and boost productivity through AI assistance. However, the timeline for these significant changes remains uncertain.
The layoffs at TikTok highlight the evolving landscape of content moderation and the increasing reliance on AI to manage the vast amounts of data generated online. As platforms like TikTok continue to grow, balancing user safety and freedom of expression with operational efficiency is a complex and ongoing challenge.
