TikTok content moderator sues company for trauma stemming from viewing hours of 'extreme and graphic violence'

A content moderator that reviewed videos for the widely popular app TikTok is suing the company for psychological trauma that stemmed from "constant" exposure to violent videos depicting graphic topics including suicides, beheadings, and sexual assault.

Candie Frazier and other moderators reportedly reviewed "extreme and graphic violence" for as much as 12 hours per day, viewing videos of "genocide in Myanmar, mass shootings, children being raped, and animals being mutilated" in an effort to moderate content on the platform, according to The Washington Post.

A lawsuit was filed last week by Frazier in California against TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance. The lawsuit is seeking class-action status. It also requests compensation for moderators who were exposed to the material.

The lawsuit reportedly states that Frazier developed "significant psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder" as a result of being exposed to the videos.

The lawsuit alleged that TikTok failed top adhere to California labor laws by not providing a "safe work environment."

"It also asks that TikTok and ByteDance provide mental health support and treatment to former and current moderators," according to The Washington Post.

Frazier does not work of TikTok, but instead for Telus International, a firm that provides workers to other businesses. The lawsuit states that "ByteDance and TikTok control the means and manner in which content moderation occurred."

A statement from TikTok to the outlet did not comment directly on the lawsuit, but said that "we strive to promote a caring working environment for our employees and our contractors." The spokesperson added that it will "continue to expand on a range of wellness services so that moderators feel supported mentally and emotionally."

A spokesperson for Telus International, which is not a defendant in the suit, said in a statement to The Washington Post that the company was "proud of the valuable work our teams perform to support a positive online environment," adding that it has a "robust resiliency and mental health program in place."

The company added though that its employees could raise concerns through "several internal channels" and Frazier did not do so.

"Her allegations are entirely inconsistent with our policies and practices," the company said.

According to The Washington Post, the lawsuit states that moderators have to view as many as 10 videos at once, while being pushed by TikTok software "to review videos faster and faster." During a 12-hour shift, workers are allowed two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch.