TikTok lays off hundreds in Malaysia in move toward AI moderation

Moderator jobs affected as platform says 80% of content removals automated

ByteDance announced a round of layoffs in Malaysia, saying that AI is reducing the need for human labor to carry out TikTok content moderation procedures. (Reuters) © Reuters

NORMAN GOH, Nikkei staff writer

October 11, 2024 16:46 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- ByteDance, the parent company of social media platform TikTok, confirmed on Friday that it will be laying off hundreds of staff in Malaysia as more content moderation is handled by technology.

A spokesperson from TikTok in Malaysia told Nikkei Asia that the job cuts are part of an ongoing plan to "further strengthen the global operating model for content moderation."