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ByteDance-owned TikTok slashes hundreds of jobs in shift towards AI content moderation

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Short-video platform TikTok currently employs a mix of automated detection and human moderators to review content posted on the site

ByteDance-owned social-media platform TikTok is laying off hundreds of employees from its global workforce, including a large number of staff in Malaysia, the company said on Friday, as it shifts focus towards a greater use of artificial intelligencein content moderation.

Two sources familiar with the matter earlier told Reuters that more than 700 jobs were slashed in Malaysia. TikTok later clarified that less than 500 employees in the country were affected.

The employees, most of whom were involved in the firm’s content-moderation operations, were informed of their dismissal by email late on Wednesday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media.

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In response to queries, TikTok confirmed the lay-offs and said that several hundred employees were expected to be affected globally, as part of a wider plan to improve its moderation operations.

TikTok employs a mix of automated detection and human moderators to review content posted on the site.

Beijing-based ByteDance has over 110,000 employees in more than 200 cities globally, according to the company’s website.

The world’s most valuable start-up – with a valuation close to US$230 billion, according to a report last month by The Information – is also planning more retrenchments next month, as the firm looks to consolidate some of its regional operations, one of the sources said.

“We’re making these changes as part of our ongoing efforts to further strengthen our global operating model for content moderation,” a TikTok representative said in a statement.

The company expects to invest US$2 billion globally this year in various trust and safety initiatives and will continue to improve efficiency, with 80 per cent of guidelines-violating content now removed by automated technologies, the representative said.

Several hundred TikTok employees globally are expected to be affected by the short-video platform’s latest round of job cuts. Photo: Shutterstock

 

The lay-offs were first reported by business portal The Malaysian Reserve on Thursday.

The job cuts occur as global technology firms face greater regulatory pressure in Malaysia, where the government has asked social media operators to apply for an operating licence by January in line with efforts to combat cybersecurity offences.

Malaysia reported a sharp increase in harmful social media content earlier this year and called on firms, including TikTok, to step up monitoring on their platforms.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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Gov Soludo is a greater supporter of Innoson group but our Office in Anambra was demolished without pre-notification from government— Innoson Group

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April 18, 2025

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‎Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) has expressed displeasure over the partial demolition of its Head Office, situated on the Owerri-Nnewi road.
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‎Mr Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, who confirmed the demolition to newsmen, said that there was no pre notification ahead of the demolition which took place on Wednesday.
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‎He claimed that the office perimeter fence, some offices, stair case and the company’s showroom were affected by the partial demolition.
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‎According to him, there was no pre notification ahead of the demolition; it came to us as a surprise.
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‎“We did not know that the building itself was marked for demolition and if it was marked, they should have given us time to relocate.
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‎“The staff were working and they just saw the demolition vehicle demolishing the building while work was going on.
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‎“Some of our staff were trapped in the building, it took the efforts of our other staff to rescue those that were trapped while over 20 vehicles were also trapped.
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‎“A day before the demolition, there was an announcement that there was going to be a demolition and they were going to give one week for the houses that were marked for demolition to relocate.
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‎“The company was not aware that the company was marked for demolition, and even if it was aware.
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‎“There have been a public announcement that all the marked buildings have one week to relocate, but all those things were not considered
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‎“There were other buildings that were close to the head office and marked for demolition were not demolished but they came straight to our building and demolished it, making us to wonder if there was another ulterior motive to it,” he said.
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‎“Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra has been a great supporter of Innoson Vehicle and Innoson has been a great supporter of the state government.


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‎“But the way and manner that everything happened makes us to wonder if the state government is aware that those handling the demolition have personal vendetta against the company,” he added.
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They only know how to drain data’ – Telecom consumers lament tariff hike, poor network

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April 14, 2025

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Some telecommunication services consumers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT have urged Mobile Network Operators to improve their services to match the recent hike in their tariffs.

They made the call in separate interviews with NAN on Monday in Abuja.

The subscribers said despite the increase in subscription rates mobile networks could remain epileptic for hours.

In a publication dated February 6, 2024, the Executive Vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said that the commission would hold service providers accountable for poor service delivery.

Mr Ogah Paul, one of the subscribers said he had enough data on his network but could not access the internet because of the epileptic network.

He urged service providers to fix the problems surrounding the poor services.

“The only thing they know is to drain data without any good service delivery. I feel like crying because of a problematic network. I have been receiving server errors since morning.

“To even download and watch a video sent to me since, takes me almost one whole day. “I wonder if members of staff of the service providers are enjoying the service they render to us.

“We cannot make calls, access the internet or even receive calls,’’ he said.

According to him, unfortunately, the network providers put up some of the best adverts about their products and services which they cannot meet.

Mr Victor James, another subscriber said he had enough data but was not able to use it to his satisfaction.

“Why does their data plan not reflect immediately when you buy data? Sometimes it takes as much as 24 hours to reflect.

“I am tired of this. The network is really bad. I have enough data but I cannot use it the way I want.

“I hope the issues get resolved as soon as possible so that I can access my data without further delay,” he said.

However, Ms Josephine Tanko, told NAN that she had no problems with her network providers.

“It is fast and reliable. I think it is the network that gives the best internet speed and quality.

“It will always be my best that is why I will always choose it over any other network,” she said.

She called on networks that did not meet their subscriber’s expectations to ensure that they improved their services.

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5 countries that produce the most cars

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5 days ago

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April 13, 2025

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

The importance of cars in transportation cannot be overemphasised with some countries known for their production.

Transportation is required for work, school, and industry, with car production fast becoming a major producer of revenue and a player in the global was financial market.

Car production is one of the largest economic sectors internationally; however, some countries produce more cars than others. The list of countries by motor vehicle production is based on statistics by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.

The world’s car manufacturers put another 93.5 million vehicles on the roads in 2023, the last full-year numbers currently available.

This article will explore the top 5 countries with the highest car production.

1. China

China, the world’s biggest manufacturer overall, leads the world in car production. The country’s 2023 production totaled more than 30 million vehicles, adding up to more than 30% of all cars and trucks produced globally.

The largest domestic car manufacturers in China, known as the traditional “Big Four,” are SAIC Motor, Dongfeng, FAW, and Chang’an.

2. United States

The United States–a major automotive producer, known for its large vehicle market–is the second biggest auto manufacturing country with a volume of 10,611,555. This represents about 5.5 percent growth compared to the 10,060,339 produced in 2022.

The United States produces less than half of what China does, having manufactured about 1.8 million cars and 8.3 million commercial vehicles in 2022. The United States’ largest car manufacturers, referred to as the “Big Three,” are General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler.

3. Japan

Japan ranked as the third biggest automobile-producing country in the world with a total volume of 8,997,440 vehicles manufactured in 2023. The country is a significant player in the global automotive industry, known for its engineering and quality.

After a sudden drop in production from 2020-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan produced just under 9 million vehicles in 2023 (8,997,440)–a drop from its pre-COVID total of nearly 9.7 million in 2019.

However, the volume grew by 14.8 percent compared to the 7,835,519 produced in 2022.

Japan’s automotive industry is one of the largest industries in the world. The country’s automotive manufacturers include Toyota, Honda, Daihatsu, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Isuzu, etc.

4. India

India is the fourth-largest automobile-producing country in the world with a total number of 5,851,507 manufactured in 2023. The volume of vehicles grew by 7.2 percent compared to 5,456,857 vehicles produced in 2022.

Although, India is not renowned in America or Europe as a vehicle manufacturer, the Asian nation produced 5.8 million cars in 2023– an annual increase of 7%. India’s export markets for vehicles include Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Mexico.

The nation is rapidly growing as an automotive market and producer.

5. South Korea

South Korea is the fifth-largest auto-producing country in the world. The country manufactured a total of 4,244,000 vehicles in 2023, representing a growth of 13 percent from a total of 3,757,049 vehicles produced in 2022.

The major South Korean automobile manufacturers include GM Korea, Hyundai Motor Group and its affiliate, Kia Corporation along with Renault Korea Motors.

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