Irish-based jobs to be impacted by TikTok restructuring

Video-sharing platform TikTok has announced plans to restructure its Training and Quality division.

It is understood that a few hundred Irish-based roles could be impacted by the move but it is not yet known how many jobs will be lost.

It is hoped that around 70% of those affected will be redeployed within the company. TikTok is continuing to hire in Ireland.

A period of consultation with impacted staff is now expected to begin.

“As we continue to deliver on our unwavering commitment to safeguard the TikTok community, we’re undertaking a redesign of our Training and Quality team that will enable us to further enhance our quality assurance processes,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

“Our priority is supporting affected employees through this transition to minimise the impact of the changes.”

“Ireland remains a hugely important base for us, and we’re continuing to hire for roles across our business here,” TikTok said.

Last month, the company announced that around 20 Irish-based jobs would be impacted by a restructuring of its small and medium business division.

TikTok currently employs around 3,000 people in Ireland.

The company’s Irish operation in playing a central role in its efforts to reassure European regulators that user data is secure.

“Project Clover” is TikTok’s data security plan and it involves the storage of European user information at data centres in Dublin and Norway.

The Chinese-owned video-sharing app has faced scrutiny over how much access China has to user data.

In April 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued guidance advising Irish Government departments and state agencies against the use of the app on official devices.

The US and UK governments, as well as EU institutions, have also banned the platform on staff devices over cybersecurity fears.

TikTok has described the government bans as misguided and based on misconceptions.