2025-08-03 18:55
publication
2025-08-03 18:55
The Tiktok platform eliminates the entire team of content moderators in Berlin, including those working with Dutch, and replaces them with algorithms of artificial intelligence and employees from external companies – the media in Belgium informed. In response to this step in July, protests and strikes were organized.
The “Trust and Safety” team in Berlin, with about 150 people, was responsible for removing content containing, among others Violence, pornography, hate speech and disinformation. Materials were moderated in many languages, including the Dutch – inform Flemish VRT broadcasts and “The Brussels Times” producing programs in this language. The Chinese concern Bytedance, to which Tiktok belongs, announced that further moderation will be implemented by external companies, supported by artificial intelligence.
July 17 this year In Berlin, about 50 people protested against Tiktok's plans, holding banners with the inscription “We trained your machines – pay us what we deserve.” The German trade union representing employees of the VER.DI service sector announced further actions if the company does not withdraw from planned layoffs.
Trade unions warn that AI can mislead even innocent content – e.g. rainbow flags – as politically controversial. “It's dangerous. You can't fully give moderation to algorithms,” said Sara TEGGE, one of the dismissed moderators, cited by the AFP agency.
According to VRT information, 11 moderators responsible for Dutch language worked in the Berlin office. One of them, quoted anonymously, warns: “We often react too late to dangerous trends, because we are too small.
Experts also approach the decision critically. “AI cannot recognize the subtle forms of hate speech hidden in emoji, codes or music. Only man has this context,” said AI Olivier Cauberghs on VRT Radio 1. In his opinion, the exemptions of moderators are part of the global trend of withdrawal of platforms from investment in manual moderation, which can lead to an increase in the number of illegal or inappropriate content.
Last year, Tiktok released a whole team of content moderators in Amsterdam, covering about 300 people. The team was responsible for verifying the content in the Dutch, English and Italian languages. TIKTOK maintains that most content violating the regulations (e.g. related to violence) is already removed thanks to AI. At the same time, the company ensures that manual moderation will be continued in Europe, but implemented by subcontractors.
Patryk Kulpok (PAP)
pmk/ kar/
