TikTok fires employees as ByteDance, the parent company of the popular platform, reportedly laysoff over 700 staff in its Malaysian division. The move comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the company’s reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation. According to a Reuters report, this restructuring aligns with TikTok’s focus on enhancing safety and moderation practices globally.
The impacted employees, primarily from moderation roles, were informed of their dismissals via email. While TikTok confirmed the layoffs, it has not disclosed the exact number of affected employees in Malaysia. However, the company acknowledged that the restructuring would have a global impact. These changes come as TikTok aims to streamline its moderation processes and adopt AI-driven solutions to monitor content more effectively.
A TikTok spokesperson emphasized the company’s ongoing efforts, stating, “We’re making these changes as part of our commitment to further strengthen our global content moderation strategies.” The spokesperson added that specific figures regarding the layoffs are unavailable due to variations in local employment regulations.
In Malaysia, where the government has increased regulatory scrutiny on social media platforms, TikTok is responding to concerns about harmful content. With an operating license requirement coming into effect in January, TikTok has intensified its focus on trust and safety. ByteDance, the parent company, plans to invest $2 billion to bolster these efforts, with AI already handling 80% of content violations.
TikTok had previously announced global layoffs, with reports indicating up to 1,000 employees affected worldwide. These layoffs primarily targeted the content and marketing departments, reflecting the company’s broader shift toward AI moderation.
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As tech companies face economic challenges, layoffs have become a common strategy. Major players like Amazon and Dell have also announced significant workforce reductions. In the case of TikTok, these recent layoffs reflect the growing trend of tech giants reshaping their business models in response to financial pressures and regulatory demands.
