Trade unions and online safety experts are calling on UK MPs to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 jobs for content moderators in London. The proposed redundancies in the company’s trust and safety team have raised concerns about the potential impact on online safety.
The Trades Union Congress, Communication Workers Union, and leading online safety figures have signed a letter to Chi Onwurah MP, Labour chair of the science, innovation, and technology committee, requesting an investigation. The letter warns that job losses could put children at risk, noting that the UK’s data watchdog estimates up to 1.4 million TikTok users are under 13, while the platform has over 30 million UK users.
Signatories argue that the cuts could be replaced by AI systems or workers in countries such as Kenya and the Philippines. They also accuse TikTok of union-busting, pointing out that the job cut announcement came just eight days before workers were set to vote on union recognition with the CWU’s tech branch. The letter cites TikTok’s growing revenue, including a 40% increase for the UK and Europe, questioning the need for redundancies.
Among those signing the letter are Ian Russell, father of British teenager Molly Russell who died after viewing harmful content online, Meta whistleblower Arturo Bejar, and social psychology professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics. The letter asks the committee to examine the impact of the redundancies on online safety and workers’ rights and to consider legislative measures to prevent offshoring or replacing human moderators with AI.
Chi Onwurah said the plans indicate that TikTok’s commitment to content moderation is under review. She noted that recommendation algorithms play a significant role in exposing users to harmful or misleading content, making these developments a matter of concern. Onwurah also questioned how the redundancy plans align with TikTok’s previous assurances of investment in user and employee safety.
A TikTok spokesperson rejected the claims, stating the company is reorganising its trust and safety operations to improve efficiency and incorporate technological advancements. The company said it has engaged voluntarily with the CWU and will continue discussions once the current redundancy consultation concludes.
