Overview

• Several hundred UK trust-and-safety roles are at risk, with the Communication Workers Union estimating about 300 London staff could be affected.
• Work currently handled in London would shift to other European offices and some third-party providers, with some moderation functions remaining in the UK.
• TikTok says more than 85% of guideline-violating content removals are now triggered by automation, which it argues improves speed and limits staff exposure to graphic material.
• The overhaul comes weeks after the Online Safety Act took effect, and Ofcom has not endorsed TikTok’s AI-based age-assurance systems.
• The CWU warns the cuts could degrade user safety and alleges the timing, shortly before a union recognition vote, amounts to union-busting.