TikTok is terminating 250 employees and shutting down its Nashville office, which was home to some members of TikTok’s content moderation team. This information was initially reported by The New York Times.

Zanna Crowley, a representative for the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, validated the information, stating that the closure was to “optimize our operations and better align our teams for sustainable growth.”

“We are fully devoted to ensuring secure, safe, and positive experiences for the 200 million Americans who create, explore, and engage with what they cherish on TikTok,” the representative stated.

The layoffs occur as social media firms increasingly depend on AI to oversee and eliminate violent or explicit materials on their sites.

The Nashville office, which TikTok rented in 2024, will be closing on October 5.