Meta Replaces Human Moderators with AI, Cuts 2,000+ Jobs in Spain
Barcelona, May 5, 2025 — Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has laid off over 2,000 content moderation workers in Spain, marking one of the largest workforce reductions in the country’s tech sector in recent years.
The job cuts primarily affect third-party contractors hired through outsourcing firms to review and remove harmful content from Meta’s platforms. Sources familiar with the matter say the majority of affected workers were stationed in Barcelona and Madrid, working in more than a dozen languages to monitor posts and videos across Europe and Latin America.
Meta has not issued a direct statement confirming the exact number of layoffs, but outsourcing firms including Teleperformance, Majorel, and Webhelp have acknowledged a “structural adjustment” in response to reduced demand for manual content review.
The decision comes amid Meta’s ongoing efforts to cut operational costs and increase reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation. In a recent earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized Meta’s transition toward “leaner teams” and “more efficient systems,” including AI-driven tools that can preemptively filter harmful content without human intervention.
Labor unions in Spain have strongly condemned the move, calling it “irresponsible” and “harmful to worker dignity.” The UGT and CCOO unions are demanding immediate negotiations, severance guarantees, and potential redeployment of affected staff within other tech roles. “These workers have been on the digital frontlines, protecting users from abuse and misinformation. They deserve better treatment,” said a UGT spokesperson.
Critics have long warned that overreliance on AI could jeopardize the accuracy and fairness of content decisions, especially in culturally sensitive or nuanced cases. Advocacy groups are also concerned that fewer human moderators could lead to slower responses to urgent content, such as hate speech or self-harm posts.
Spain’s Ministry of Labor has requested a briefing from Meta and its outsourcing partners, citing concerns over labor rights and the country’s obligations under EU employment law. “Mass layoffs must be conducted with full transparency and legal compliance,” said Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz in a brief statement on Monday.
The layoffs come at a time when Spain is positioning itself as a hub for tech investment in southern Europe. But analysts say this development could tarnish that image. “When a major platform like Meta makes such a drastic cut, it sends a worrying signal to other global firms,” said Andrés Núñez, a digital economy analyst with the European Policy Centre.
Meta has laid off tens of thousands of employees globally since late 2022 as part of its “Year of Efficiency,” a strategy designed to streamline operations amid falling ad revenues and growing competition from platforms like TikTok.
For the now-jobless moderators in Spain, the future remains uncertain. Many say they worked under immense psychological pressure with little support and are now left without clarity or direction. “We were told AI would help us, not replace us,” said one former moderator, who requested anonymity.