TikTok Shuts Down India Operations Amid Global Workforce Shake-Up

In a decisive move that signals deeper corporate restructuring, TikTok has reportedly laid off its entire India team, marking a complete exit from the country’s operational landscape. The decision comes as part of a broader global overhaul affecting the platform’s trust and safety division.

The layoffs, which began earlier this week, impacted teams across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In India, around 40 employees were let go, effectively dissolving TikTok’s presence in a market where the app has remained banned since 2020.

This restructuring is not isolated. Over the past year, TikTok has trimmed hundreds of roles globally, including significant cuts in Malaysia. The company is said to be pivoting toward AI-driven content moderation, reducing reliance on human oversight.

The trust and safety unit, once comprising over 40,000 professionals worldwide, has been at the center of TikTok’s efforts to manage content responsibly. However, mounting regulatory pressures and geopolitical scrutiny have forced ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to reevaluate its staffing and operational strategies.

Sources indicate that the memo announcing the layoffs was circulated by Adam Presser, TikTok’s operations head. The timing coincides with increasing uncertainty around TikTok’s future in several countries, including the United States, where legislative actions threaten its continuity.

For India, the layoffs underscore a final chapter in TikTok’s turbulent journey. Despite its massive popularity before the ban, the platform struggled to regain footing amid national security concerns and regulatory hurdles.

Industry observers suggest that TikTok’s exit may open doors for domestic short-video platforms to consolidate their user base. Meanwhile, the global tech community watches closely as ByteDance navigates a complex web of compliance, innovation, and workforce realignment.

As the dust settles, questions remain about the long-term viability of global social media giants operating in politically sensitive regions. For now, TikTok’s silence in India speaks volumes.