TikTok is putting hundreds of UK content moderator jobs at risk as part of a global reorganization aimed at consolidating its Trust and Safety operations while increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for content moderation. The ByteDance-owned platform confirms work will be reallocated to other European offices and third-party providers, though some trust and safety positions will remain in the UK.

According to TikTok, 85% of content removed for violating community guidelines is already identified and taken down by automated systems. The company states this investment helps “reduce how often human reviewers are exposed to distressing footage” while allowing them to “maximize effectiveness and speed” in content moderation.

“We are continuing a reorganization that we started last year to strengthen our global operating model for Trust and Safety, which includes concentrating our operations in fewer locations globally,” TikTok told the BBC.

Union Concerns Over Safety and Timing

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has criticized the decision, with National Officer John Chadfield stating the cuts put “corporate greed over the safety of workers and the public.” The CWU notes the announcement comes “just as the company’s workers are about to vote on having their union recognized.”

“TikTok workers have long been sounding the alarm over the real-world costs of cutting human moderation teams in favor of hastily developed, immature AI alternatives,” Chadfield added.

Similar Actions Across Europe

The UK reductions follow a pattern of similar moves across Europe. In September 2024, TikTok fired its entire team of 300 content moderators in the Netherlands. In July 2025, content moderators in Berlin staged a one-day strike to protest the replacement of approximately 150 employees with AI systems.

The cuts come despite the recent introduction of the UK Online Safety Act in July, which allows fines of up to 10% of a business’s global turnover for non-compliance. The law increases requirements for companies to monitor content appearing on their platforms and verify users’ ages.

Despite these workforce changes, TikTok reports strong growth in the UK market, now serving more than 30 million monthly users. The company recently disclosed plans to expand its UK workforce to 3,000 employees this year, adding more than 500 new jobs outside of content moderation. Additionally, TikTok is investing in a new 135,000-square-foot office in London’s Barbican area, scheduled to open in early 2026.