If you work as a content moderator, you likely spend your days reviewing some of the worst material the internet has to offer – from violent videos and hate speech to child abuse imagery. It’s a job that takes a huge emotional toll. Now, content moderators around the world are coming together to take action.
A new group called the Global Trade Union Alliance of Content Moderators (GTUACM) was launched in Nairobi, Kenya. The alliance says its mission is to demand better working conditions and hold Big Tech companies accountable for how they treat content moderators.
These workers are usually hired by contractors, not the tech giants themselves. Companies like Meta (which owns Facebook), TikTok’s parent company Bytedance, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) often outsource moderation work. This means moderators are expected to do a highly stressful job – like viewing disturbing content daily – without the pay, support, or protections that full-time employees usually receive.
Mental health and job security under threat
Many moderators say the work causes long-term harm. According to GTUACM, workers face issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and even suicidal thoughts. They often receive no mental health support, and there’s little job security. Some are punished or even fired for speaking out or trying to form unions.
Michał Szmagaj, a former Meta moderator in Poland, shared his experience: “We had to look at horrific videos – beheadings, abuse, torture. It damages you. But it doesn’t stop there. We’re also stuck with short-term contracts, constant pressure to meet targets, and being constantly watched. It’s overwhelming.”
Szmagaj is now helping others in Poland organise unions. He says workers need better mental health services during work hours, more stable jobs, and fair treatment.
Global effort to push for change
The GTUACM comprises trade unions worldwide – including Kenya, Ghana, Colombia, Poland, Turkey, the Philippines, Portugal, Tunisia, and Morocco. More countries, like Germany and Ireland, are expected to join soon. Even though the United States was not part of the launch, American unions are still involved. Benjamin Parton from UNI Global Union said they are working closely with groups like the Communication Workers of America (CWA) to demand change in how Big Tech treats content moderators.
In Kenya, where many content moderators are based, union leaders demand fairer conditions. Benson Okwaro, head of the Communication Workers Union of Kenya, said: “Kenya has become a global centre for content moderation. We want businesses to come here, but not at the cost of our workers’ health. Together with unions worldwide, we are telling companies like Meta, TikTok, Alphabet, and Amazon that we will not stay silent.”
Legal action against tech contractors begins
Several legal cases are now underway. In Kenya and Ghana, former Meta moderators are suing over the mental harm they suffered. Meanwhile, moderators who worked for TikTok through a contractor called Telus Digital have also filed a lawsuit. They claim they were dismissed for trying to unionise and improve conditions.
One of those former Telus workers, Özlem, said the trauma doesn’t stop at the end of a shift. “The content we see stays with us. It affects our sleep and scars us emotionally. When we complain, we’re told this is what TikTok wants. If we push for change, we lose our jobs.”
The GTUACM hopes to offer a global platform for these workers to stand up for their rights. It plans to lead campaigns, support legal cases, and research how the job affects people’s health.
Christy Hoffman, head of UNI Global Union, said, “Tech companies can’t hide behind outsourcing forever. The harm done by their platforms is real. This work must become safer and fairer. That means living wages, stable jobs, and giving workers a voice.”
