Meta faces trial in Kenya over dismissal of content moderators

Sponsored Ad

Meta is set to face trial in Kenya regarding the dismissal of 185 content moderators, following a ruling by the Court of Appeals in Nairobi. The former moderators allege they were unlawfully terminated after attempting to form a union, seeking $1.6 billion in compensation.

This legal challenge stems from an April 2023 ruling by a Kenyan labor court, which found that both Meta and its contractor, Sama, could be held accountable for discrimination and violations of the moderators' rights. Meta had appealed this decision, but the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's ruling, stating that the appeals were without merit.

One plaintiff, James Irungu, expressed optimism that the court's decision would encourage others to pursue similar actions, calling it a "significant victory." Meta maintains that it requires its partners to uphold high working conditions, while Sama asserts compliance with local labor laws and the provision of mental health services to its employees.

The case is notable as it marks the first legal challenge against Meta related to content moderation outside of the United States. It could potentially influence how major tech companies manage content moderation practices globally.

In addition to this case, Meta faces other legal challenges in Africa, including allegations of facilitating violence and hate speech on its platform.