TikTok plans to replace its entire trust and safety team in Berlin with artificial intelligence and outsourced workers, leading to mass layoffs of about 150 employees. Workers launched strikes in late July 2025 to protest these changes, highlighting concerns over job security and platform safety amid the company’s global push for automation.
This move comes as TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, faces mounting pressure worldwide. In Germany, the union ver.di leads the charge, demanding better severance and longer notice periods. The events unfold against a backdrop of similar cuts in other countries, raising questions about the future of human oversight in social media moderation.
Workers Strike Against Job Losses
TikTok’s Berlin office serves as a key hub for moderating content in German-speaking markets, which boast around 32 million active users. The trust and safety team reviews up to 1,000 videos daily, flagging issues like violence, misinformation, and hate speech. Now, the company aims to dismantle this team entirely.
Strikes began after TikTok refused to negotiate with ver.di. Union spokesperson Kalle Kunkel noted that workers held two day-long protests in July 2025. These actions aimed to pressure the company into talks. Employees worry that outsourcing to AI and contractors could weaken content controls.
The layoffs would cut nearly 40 percent of Berlin’s 400-strong workforce. This follows a pattern seen in other tech firms. For instance, in early 2025, Meta announced plans to automate 90 percent of its product reviews, including safety checks.
Global Push for AI in Moderation
TikTok has accelerated its shift to AI worldwide over the past year. In September 2024, it fired 300 moderators in the Netherlands. October brought cuts to 500 roles in Malaysia, all replaced by automated systems. By February 2025, reports showed reductions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Company leaders, including CEO Shou Zi Chew, pledged over $2 billion for trust and safety in 2024 congressional testimony. They promised another $2 billion in 2025. Yet, staff numbers have dropped, with AI taking center stage to streamline operations.
Other platforms follow suit. X, formerly Twitter, ended its human fact-checking in 2024, relying on user notes instead. Snap Inc. also trimmed safety teams amid cost-cutting drives.
Here’s a quick look at recent TikTok moderation layoffs:
| Location | Year | Jobs Cut | Replacement Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2024 | 300 | AI systems |
| Malaysia | 2024 | 500 | AI-powered moderation |
| Berlin, Germany | 2025 | 150 | AI and outsourced labor |
| Various regions (Asia, Europe, etc.) | 2025 | Significant portions | Automation focus |
This table shows the scale of changes, affecting thousands globally.
Risks of Relying on AI for Safety
Experts warn that AI might not catch nuanced harmful content. Union complaints highlight cases where AI flagged harmless videos, like those with Pride flags, as violations. It also misses sophisticated issues, such as subtle hate speech or misinformation.
Aliya Bhatia from the Center for Democracy and Technology stresses that replacing humans could lead to more errors. This harms users, especially minors, by allowing unsafe content to spread. In the EU, the 2022 Digital Services Act demands strict moderation, with fines for failures.
TikTok claims AI speeds up removals and reduces human exposure to graphic material. Still, workers argue that human judgment remains essential for accuracy. They point to mental health support in-house, which contractors might lack.
Logical reasoning suggests AI excels at volume but struggles with context. For example, during the 2024 US elections, platforms like TikTok faced criticism for AI failures in spotting deepfakes. This ties into ongoing US threats of a TikTok ban unless sold to an approved buyer, extended by President Trump in 2025.
A balanced view shows pros and cons:
- Pros of AI: Faster processing, cost savings, less emotional toll on workers.
- Cons: Potential biases, missed subtleties, job displacement.
Union Demands and TikTok’s Stance
Ver.di sent demands for severance packages, retraining programs, and a one-year layoff extension. TikTok has not engaged, prompting strikes. After the first protest, the company warned workers about notifying bosses, but German law protects strike rights without individual notices.
Lead negotiator Kathlen Eggerling called out the intimidation. She urged TikTok to negotiate instead of spreading misinformation. If ignored, longer strikes loom.
TikTok spokesperson Anna Sopel said the changes improve efficiency while maintaining platform integrity. The company invests heavily but prioritizes automation for better results.
Broader Impacts on Tech and Society
These events reflect a tech industry trend toward AI amid economic pressures. In 2025, global tech layoffs hit over 100,000 jobs, per industry trackers, with AI often cited as a reason. This sparks debates on worker rights and ethical AI use.
For users, weaker moderation could mean more exposure to harm. Parents and educators worry about child safety on apps like TikTok. Solutions include hybrid models blending AI with human oversight.
Looking ahead, similar strikes might spread if companies ignore unions. In Germany, strong labor laws give workers leverage, unlike in some US states.
What This Means for the Future
The Berlin strikes highlight tensions between innovation and job security. As AI advances, industries must balance efficiency with human needs. TikTok’s case could set precedents for how platforms handle moderation worldwide.
Readers, what do you think about AI replacing human moderators? Share your thoughts in the comments and spread this article to spark discussions on tech’s evolving role.
