On August 22, 2025, TikTok announced a global restructuring of its trust and safety operations, putting hundreds of UK jobs at risk as the platform shifts toward greater reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation per Daily mail. The move, affecting roles in the UK, South, and Southeast Asia, aims to streamline operations and reduce exposure to harmful content for human moderators.
Since 2024, TikTok has reorganised its operations by concentrating activities in fewer global locations to enhance efficiency, according to a company spokesperson. In the UK, where TikTok employs over 2,500 staff, the company has impacted several hundred trust and safety jobs. It will reallocate some roles to other European offices or third-party providers, while retaining a limited number of positions in the UK. TikTok continues to operate its Farringdon office and the upcoming Barbican location in London.
Hundreds of TikTok jobs at risk in UK as video sharing site launches global restructure of its trust and safety tears https://t.co/KmRUYdWzrl
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) August 22, 2025TikTok has increasingly utilised AI, with over 85% of content violating community guidelines now removed automatically, reducing the workload for human moderators. The platform claims this shift minimises exposure to distressing content, but the Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned that cutting human moderation teams could compromise user safety, stating, “This news will put TikTok’s millions of British users at risk.”
The CWU criticised the reliance on “immature AI alternatives,” highlighting concerns raised during unionisation efforts. Industry analysts note TikTok’s $2 billion global trust and safety investment in 2024, with 80% of violative content now AI-detected, per TBIJ. However, the reduction of human oversight has sparked debates about the balance between automation and accountability.
As TikTok navigates this restructure, the company faces challenges in maintaining user trust while addressing economic pressures. The job cuts, part of a broader global reduction, could impact the UK’s tech sector, with affected employees encouraged to seek union support. TikTok’s shift to AI moderation may set a precedent for other platforms, with implications for content safety worldwide.
