TikTok Shakes Up Workforce: Paves Way for AI-Powered Content Moderation!

Social media giant TikTok is set to lay off hundreds of employees as it transitions to an AI-driven content moderation model. 

The decision, announced by parent company ByteDance, could see up to 700 workers across the globe lose their jobs. The highest impact was in Malaysia, with 500 workers let go. 

TikTok representative, however, confirmed Australian employees will remain unaffected. This strategic shakeup is part of the company's efforts to fortify their global moderation model. Over $2bn is expected to be invested in trust and safety in 2024, with 80% of violating content currently being removed by automated technologies. 

Meanwhile, in the US, a pending ban threatens the platform's existence unless ByteDance sells it by January 19. TikTok has countered this by suing the US government, citing the forced sale as unconstitutional and a threat to free speech. 

Australia has no immediate plans to ban the app for civilians, but it remains prohibited on government devices. Furthermore, legislation introducing a minimum age on social media apps is expected later this year.

- CyberBeat