Introduction to TikTok’s Security Commitments
TikTok has been accused of being “regressive” in its security commitments as it puts hundreds of moderator jobs at risk in its London office. The company announced in August that hundreds of jobs were at risk in Trust and Safety offices.
Replacement of Skilled Workers with AI-Driven Content Moderation
In an open letter to MPs, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said that TikTok “seeks to replace skilled British workers with unproven AI-driven content moderation and with workers in countries like Kenya or the Philippines that face oppressive conditions and poverty pay.” A number of the over 400 presenters who will lose their jobs will be replaced by temporary workers in other countries, as part of TikTok’s efforts to improve its trust and safety operations.
Job Losses and Impact on Users
It is assumed that around 400 jobs are at risk. TikTok moderators in Dublin and Berlin have also reported that they are at risk of being fired. The chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee has told the company that the job loss “calls into question” TikTok’s ability to protect users from harmful and misleading content.
Concerns About User Safety
“TikTok appears to be reversing its statements from six months ago,” said the chair. “This raises alarming questions not only about its accountability but also about its plans to ensure the safety of users. They urgently need to provide clarity and answer important questions about the changes to the content moderation process. Otherwise, how can we trust their ability to properly moderate content and protect users?”
Response Deadline and Controversy
The company has been given a response deadline of November 10th. In a correspondence with the social media giant, it was pointed out that the importance of staff’s work to support TikTok’s moderation processes had been highlighted as recently as February this year. However, TikTok’s director of public policy and government has declined to comment on the claims, stating that the proposals put forward are solely aimed at improving the speed and effectiveness of moderation processes.
Reorganization of Global Operating Model
A TikTok spokesperson has stated that the reorganization of the global operating model for trust and security will ensure the effectiveness and speed of moderation processes as the company continues to evolve its security capability using advances in technology. However, last month, TikTok presenters told that it may be young people in the UK who will be exposed to even more harmful content in the event of layoffs. “If you talk to most moderators, we wouldn’t let our kids on the app,” said one moderator.
