TikTok is slowly transitioning into AI-assisted content moderation, and in line with this, the social media giant has recently announced the elimination of hundreds of jobs worldwide.

The restructuring is part of TikTok’s broader strategy of enhancing the platform’s content filtering and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements amid rising concerns over harmful content on social media.

TikTok confirms plan to reduce workforce

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company, confirmed plans to reduce its global workforce by several hundred positions.

While the company did not provide a specific country-by-country breakdown, it is widely expected that close to 500 employees in Malaysia will be affected by the layoffs. The exact number of job losses in the country has not been disclosed, but Malaysia is set to be one of the most affected regions.

In a press statement, a TikTok representative explained that the job cuts were driven by an ongoing effort to improve the platform’s content moderation systems, combining both human review and automated detection methods.

The company’s spokesperson stated, “We expect to invest $2 billion globally in trust and safety in 2024 alone and are continuing to improve the efficacy of our efforts, with 80% of violative content now removed by automated technologies.”

The shift toward AI-powered moderation reflects the company’s strategic focus on using advanced technologies to manage the vast amounts of content uploaded daily.

Currently, TikTok relies on a hybrid system, utilizing automated tools to flag inappropriate content, which human moderators then review. The layoffs are seen as a cost-cutting measure in TikTok’s broader plan to streamline operations while maintaining its commitment to trust and safety on the platform.

A global reorganization

The reorganization comes after months of speculation that TikTok was planning to reduce its workforce, particularly in its marketing and international operations divisions. The job cuts are part of a larger restructuring effort as the company prioritizes automation and AI in its content moderation process, which it believes will lead to faster and more accurate removal of harmful content.

This move is also seen as a response to growing scrutiny from governments and regulators worldwide, who have become increasingly concerned about the spread of harmful content on social media platforms. TikTok has faced regulatory pressure in multiple countries due to content violations, including the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and sexually explicit material.

ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is one of the largest tech firms in the world, employing over 110,000 people across more than 200 cities globally. The recent layoffs mark a significant shift for the company, which has rapidly expanded its workforce in recent years to accommodate its growing user base, now estimated at over 1 billion active users.

Regulatory pressures

The layoffs come at a time of increased regulatory pressure on social media firms, particularly in Malaysia, where the government has been actively combating the rise of malicious content online.

Earlier this year, authorities reported a spike in cases of cybercrime, including cyberbullying, online fraud, and sexual offenses involving minors. In response, the Malaysian government introduced a new regulatory framework requiring social media platforms to obtain an operating license if they wish to continue serving users in the country.

These regulations are part of Malaysia’s broader efforts to tackle the growing prevalence of cybercrime and ensure that digital platforms adhere to local content laws. Social media companies like TikTok have faced scrutiny for their inability to fully curb harmful content on their platforms, prompting the need for more stringent oversight and regulation.

While TikTok has pledged to improve its content moderation systems, the layoffs are seen by some as a potential risk to the company’s ability to effectively manage harmful content in real time.

In today’s digital era, the flow of information is unprecedented, thanks to the Internet and social media. However, distinguishing between fact and fiction has become increasingly challenging. This is where media and information literacy become crucial.

Critics have pointed out that while AI technology can be effective in flagging inappropriate material, it often requires human intervention to accurately assess context and intent.

TikTok’s commitment to trust and safety

Despite the layoffs, TikTok remains committed to investing heavily in trust and safety measures.

The company’s $2 billion global investment in these areas for 2024 signals its intent to strengthen its content moderation efforts and ensure user safety. TikTok has repeatedly emphasized the importance of creating a secure environment for its users, particularly for its younger audience, which makes up a significant portion of its user base.

As the company continues to navigate the complexities of content moderation and regulatory compliance, TikTok’s future success will depend on its ability to strike a balance between automation and human oversight.

The job cuts, while unfortunate, are seen as a necessary step in the company’s evolution toward more efficient and effective content management.

For now, employees in Malaysia and beyond will be facing a period of uncertainty as the company moves forward with its restructuring plans. As TikTok transitions to AI-assisted content filtering, the impact of these changes will continue to unfold in the coming months, both for its workforce and for the broader social media landscape.