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TikTok's AI Replacement Plan Sparks Historic Strike
TikTok plans to replace approximately 150 content moderators at its Berlin office with artificial intelligence and external service providers. This unprecedented move has triggered the first-ever strike by social media platform employees in Germany, organized by the ver.di trade union.
Critical Roles at Risk
The affected employees, primarily from TikTok's Trust-and-Safety department, perform essential content moderation - filtering harmful material including child exploitation, terrorism propaganda, and violent content. Their work ensures compliance with EU's Digital Services Act. Many face not only job loss but potential residency status revocation as non-German citizens.
Strike Action and Legal Battle
After TikTok management refused negotiations, employees staged a warning strike on July 23, 2025. The company has since initiated legal proceedings to expedite dismissals, countered by further strikes. ver.di demands severance packages equivalent to three years' salary and extended termination notices.
AI Limitations in Moderation
Content moderators highlight AI's contextual limitations, citing cases where TikTok's algorithms mistakenly flagged LGBTQ+ content as "hate speech." Human judgment remains crucial for nuanced content decisions that AI cannot replicate.
Global Implications
This conflict reflects worldwide trends in platform labor. In April 2025, content moderators formed a global union alliance in Nairobi to establish international standards for tech workers.
