Pocket Worlds recruits ex-TikTok leader as new head of trust and safety

Technology company Pocket Worlds has appointed Sean O’Grady as its new head of trust and safety.

In his new role, Sean will enhance moderation policies across the company's platforms, including games platform Highrise.

He plans to grow the 12-member team by adding specialised roles, including AI-driven moderation, to improve detection and response.

With over 15 years of leadership experience, Sean was previously TikTok's ex-trust and safety policy manager. He also led policy strategies in fast-growing markets like Brazil to foster cross-functional collaborations.

A new adventure 

“As we build safer, more dynamic spaces for our players, it's essential that we put protective boundaries in place while still allowing people to be their true selves,” said Sean. 

“I’m excited to lead our efforts toward a proactive safety approach that balances user freedom with thoughtful guidelines, reinforcing a positive, transparent environment." 

“By growing our team and incorporating advanced moderation tools, we’ll improve response times while also fostering a virtual community where users feel secure and empowered to express themselves authentically.”

Highrise CEO Anton Bernstein added: “With Sean leading the way, we’re confident Highrise will set a new benchmark in user safety, creating a community where people feel secure, valued, and free to express their creativity."

We recently caught up with Anton to learn about the evolution of the Highrise platform and why UGC is becoming more popular.