TikTok content moderators in Barcelona have spoken out about disturbing working conditions. Former employees at Majorel SP Solutions describe reviewing graphic violence including beheadings and mutilations.
One ex-worker told Europa Press she encountered videos showing live victims being decapitated or mutilated. Whilst not daily, such content appeared frequently enough to cause emotional harm.
The revelations follow an October 2025 lawsuit. An employee filed charges against four company managers for crimes against workers, moral integrity, and serious negligence causing injuries. The lawsuit alleges Majorel imposed “absolutely inhumane and unbearable” working conditions.
Company denies disturbing content claims
Three company managers denied the claims last Monday at Barcelona’s Court of Instruction 9. They told the judge workers either didn’t review highly disturbing audiovisual content or did so only residually. Lawyer Francesc Feliu, representing the claimant, confirmed their statements after the hearing.
The ex-employee agrees it wasn’t daily. However, she maintains it occurred frequently enough to affect her emotionally. Another former worker confirms seeing beheadings and sexual content, though not excessively. She notes most content was musical, so she doesn’t feel psychologically affected.
Disputed workplace protections
The first ex-worker disputes the claimant’s version about breaks. The lawsuit alleged workers could only stop five minutes per hour, with no extra breaks after shocking content. Workers supposedly had to watch entire videos lasting one to four minutes.
“We could stop and even not moderate to the end,” she explains. “There were psychologists we could talk to anytime. I can’t complain about that.”
She describes how work was distributed at Majorel’s Barcelona headquarters. Two departments existed, with some workers more exposed to explicit violence. TikTok1 staff saw the most dangerous and violent content. TikTok2 received pre-filtered material.
During a personally difficult period, an armed conflict erupted. She had to review content that particularly affected her. Consequently, she fell into depression but continued working. She felt completely alone, without support from the company or colleagues.
“I felt completely alone, depressed, and without help,” she said.
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