TikTok Faces Criticism Over Job Cuts to Trust and Safety Team, Sparking Concerns About online Safety
TikTok is facing accusations of prioritizing profit over user safety following the announcement of 400 job cuts from its UK trust and safety team. Critics argue the move, part of a global restructuring, undermines the platform’s commitment to protecting users from harmful content, particularly in light of the recently enacted UK Online Safety Act.
A letter signed by union leaders and campaigners expresses deep concern over the redundancies,stating they are “targeted at the ‘Trust and Safety Team’,” effectively ending content moderation in London and mirroring cuts happening globally. The letter emphasizes these workers are ”the frontline of protecting users and communities from deep fakes, toxicity and abuse.”
Concerns center around TikTok’s strategic focus on monetizing TikTok Shop and onboarding influencers. One critic stated,”Their current strategy priorities of monetising TikTok Shop and onboarding influencers isn’t one that means that safety can take a backseat.” They further alleged a disconnect between TikTok’s public statements and internal practices, saying, “TikTok at times can talk a good game about Trust and Safety, and will fly tech journalists out to parade some marketing, but they know the internal reality doesn’t match with their own PR.”
The signatories urge TikTok to “invest time and resources in to understanding the expertise and processes required to effectively moderate the millions of pieces of hazardous content that flood the platform.” Among those signing the letter are Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old whose death was linked to online content, and Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
Unions have also accused TikTok of “union busting,” noting the redundancies where announced just eight days before a scheduled vote on union recognition with the United Tech and Allied Workers, a branch of the Communication Workers Union. TikTok maintains the decision is a global one and unrelated to union discussions.
The restructuring comes shortly after the UK’s Online Safety Act, enforced by Ofcom, came into force in July. The legislation requires online platforms to protect UK viewers from illegal material, including child sexual abuse and extreme pornography, and to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content.
In response to the criticism, a TikTok spokesperson “strongly rejected” allegations of deprioritizing online safety and union busting. They stated the company is “continuing a reorganisation…to strengthen our global operating model for Trust and Safety, including concentrating our operations in fewer locations globally, ensuring we maximise effectiveness and speed as we evolve this critical function for the company with the benefit of technological advancements.”
