In 2022, a TBIJ investigation into one of these
contractors, Teleperformance, found its Colombian employees faced
widespread occupational trauma and inadequate psychological support,
demanding or impossible performance targets, punitive salary deductions
and extensive surveillance.

Some Teleperformance moderators in Colombia earned as
little as £235 per month in 2022, compared to about £2,000 a month for
UK moderators. CWU said the lowest-paid trust and safety workers earn
£26,000 a year.

In response to TBIJ’s 2022 investigation, a TikTok
spokesperson said: “Our Trust and Safety team partners with third party
firms on the critical work of helping to protect the TikTok platform and
community, and we continue to expand on a range of wellness services so
that moderators feel supported mentally and emotionally.”

The UK layoffs appear to be part of a wider global
reduction of in-house moderation teams. About 500 Malaysian TikTok
employees, most of whom were content moderators, were also told they
were being made redundant, Reuters reported today.

One UK moderator who could lose their job told TBIJ: “From
the moment we saw the emails coming in, everyone started worrying. At
first, they didn’t mention the word ‘redundant,’ but it was clear the
news wasn’t going to be good. Personally, I’m afraid there’s more to
come.

“Looking back, it seems like this was just a matter of
time. Some roles were already moved to other countries where workers are
paid much less than us… I’m worried I won’t have enough for Christmas,
and possibly even my rent if I can’t get hired quickly and run out of
the little savings I have … I don’t even earn that much to begin with.”

TikTok had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.