Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Unions Urge MPs to Probe TikTok’s Plan to Cut 439 UK Trust and Safety Roles

Campaigners warn the reductions could increase children’s exposure to harmful content.

Overview

  • An open letter to Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, calls for an inquiry into the proposed redundancies.
  • Signatories include the TUC, the CWU, online safety experts and Ian Russell, who link job losses to greater risks for up to 30 million UK users, including children.
  • The letter alleges TikTok plans to replace UK moderators with AI and lower-paid workers in countries such as Kenya and the Philippines, and accuses the company of union-busting by timing the cuts before a recognition vote.
  • TikTok rejects the claims, describing a global reorganisation that concentrates operations in fewer locations and leans on technology, with about 85% of rule-breaking content removed by automation.
  • The company says it has voluntarily engaged with the CWU and offered to continue talks after the redundancy consultation, and no parliamentary investigation has been announced.