TikTok has cut more than 450 employees in Tokopedia’s technology unit in Indonesia, according to a CNBC Indonesia report citing sources.

ByteDance staff in China now run the technology behind Tokopedia and TikTok Shop, the report said.

A TikTok spokesperson confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday (July 1), adding that the company is realigning R&D to support long-term growth for the business, creators, and sellers. The spokesperson did not specify the number of employees being laid off.

The company did not directly link the cuts to Indonesia’s 2023 ban on ecommerce transactions on social media platforms, which forced TikTok Shop to halt direct in-app sales.

ByteDance completed its purchase of a controlling 75.01% stake in Tokopedia from GoTo in January 2024 and committed to invest more than US$1.5 billion in the combined business over time, according to GoTo.

The deal was later conditionally cleared by Indonesia’s antitrust watchdog after concerns over predatory pricing, tying, and bundling practices.

🔗 Source: CNBC Indonesia

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