ByteDance lays off hundreds of TikTok employees in shift to AI content moderation


ByteDance’s TikTok is laying off hundreds of employees, mainly in Malaysia, according to Reuters. The cuts come as the social network is increasingly turning to AI for content moderation.

Although TikTok did not provide the exact number, it said that less than 500 people were affected.

The company said it’s making the changes as part of its efforts to strengthen its global operating model for content moderation, according to Reuters. TikTok currently uses both automated detection and human moderators to examine content shared on the social network.

TikTok has not responded to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

The latest round of cuts at the social network follow a series of reductions conducted earlier this year. In April, the company cut over 250 jobs in Ireland, and in May reports indicated that it was laying off around 1,000 employees in its operations and marketing teams. In January, TikTok laid off 60 employees in sales and advertising.

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