Meta Reduces Content Moderation in Barcelona: Impact on Telus International
The technological multinational Meta, owner of social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is currently implementing significant changes in its content moderation strategy. According to Josep Catà Figuls (2025), in an article published in *El País*, Meta has decided to discontinue the content moderation services that were being carried out from the Torre Glòries in Barcelona through the subcontracted company Telus International. This decision follows Mark Zuckerberg's move in January to relax content moderation, a strategy interpreted by some as an attempt to align with political figures. This shift is leaving a considerable impact on the workforce and the local economy.
Details of the Decision and its Impact
Telus International, which provided content moderation services for Meta in Barcelona, has communicated to its employees that their services are no longer required for this specific client. As *El País* reports, workers have been granted paid leave and restricted from accessing the facilities. Given that Meta was Telus's primary client in Barcelona, the company's workforce of 2,000 people is facing potential layoffs. Telus has stated its intention to engage in discussions with the works council to manage the situation, as reported by Catà Figuls (2025).
Telus's Perspective
In a press release, Telus International has stated that it is actively seeking to adapt to the evolving needs of its clients. «Telus Digital is evolving and adapting the volume of its services to meet the needs and requirements of its customers. In the case of Barcelona, our customers are diversifying their presence and moving their services to other locations,» the company stated (Telus International, 2025, as cited in *El País*). Telus has also expressed its commitment to continuing to collaborate with Meta on content review and other projects as a strategic partner. They maintain that these changes are part of their normal operations and will not affect Telus Digital's outlook for 2025.
Reactions and Concerns
Despite Telus's assurances, the workforce remains deeply concerned about the future. According to sources within the company, Meta is currently the only client for this specific service in Barcelona, which means the entire staff is directly affected. Employees gathered in front of the offices to express their concerns and seek clarity on the future of their jobs, as reported by *El País*.
Past Incidents and Instability
This is not the first time that Meta's decisions have negatively affected this work center. In 2023, during Meta's global staff reductions, the content moderation subcontractor experienced a decline in demand from its main client, resulting in 251 layoffs and over 600 employees placed on temporary layoff schemes (ERTE), according to *El País* (2025).
Background and Economic Context
The arrival of Meta in Barcelona in 2018, even through a subcontracted company, was initially seen as a positive economic development for the city. The choice of Torre Glòries as the location for the offices was also symbolic, as it was originally intended to house the European Medicines Agency. However, the perception soon changed as the jobs were not as qualified or stable as initially hoped, according to *El País*.
Labor Conditions and Mental Health
The workforce at Telus International in Barcelona is diverse, with employees from various nationalities speaking multiple languages. One of the labor disputes involved the demand for equal pay between workers moderating content in Spanish and those moderating content in other languages. The company has stated that salary differentiation based on linguistic skills is common in content review work and ensures fair compensation based on market conditions, according to *El País* (2025).
The Nature of Content Moderation Work
The primary task of these workers is to monitor content published on social networks to remove violent, sexual, or inappropriate material. This high-risk activity has led to hundreds of workers taking sick leave due to mental health issues and filing lawsuits against the company. Recently, a court ruled in favor of a worker, classifying their illness as a work accident, according to *El País* (2025). In response, Telus International insists that mental health is a priority and that their focus on employee well-being has led to a decrease in absenteeism rates, reaching a minimum of 11.5%, the company claims.
Conclusion
Meta's decision to reduce its content moderation activities in Barcelona is currently creating uncertainty and concern among the workforce at Telus International. While the company seeks to adapt and find new clients, the immediate impact on employees is significant. The situation highlights the challenges and instability often associated with subcontracted tech jobs, particularly in the field of content moderation. The implications for the local economy and the future of these workers remain to be seen.
References
Catà Figuls, J. (2025, April 3). Meta prescinde del centro de moderación de contenidos para Facebook e Instagram que tiene en Barcelona. *El País*. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2025-04-03/meta-prescinde-del-centro-de-moderacion-de-contenidos-para-facebook-e-instagram-que-tiene-en-barcelona.html
