TikTok Trims Staff in Singapore as Part of Global Exercise

Move affects those in trust and safety team as firm cuts back-end units

- Ang Qing

At least a dozen TikTok employees in Singapore were let go with immediate effect, as the firm trimmed its back-end teams globally to better align operations with long-term growth plans, The Straits Times has learnt.

Letters went out to employees in its trust and safety team on Feb 20 to inform them about the internal reorganization. The cuts affected teams in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US, a source familiar with the layoffs told ST.

The e-mail to Singapore employees, seen by ST, said the layoffs in the trust and safety team come after months of careful consideration. The move is for operational efficiency and will better align with its business needs, according to the e-mail.

Some employees who received the e-mail kept their roles. Others had their access cut off an hour after they were informed that their jobs had been slashed.

Among those affected was trust and safety product manager Eric Tan, who said on LinkedIn that he "woke up to the sobering news" that he had been made redundant. The employee of more than three years at TikTok said: "This wave of layoffs impacted multiple departments across trust and safety, including some really bright and passionate individuals I have come to know.

"The news of the layoffs stung, because deep down in my heart I knew I was meant to be there."