Nairobi, Kenya – (African Boulevard News) – The Meta group, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is facing a legal offensive from content moderators in Kenya. Subcontracted to Sama, a Californian company, the moderators are responsible for ensuring that inappropriate content is removed from the platforms. However, three complaints have now been lodged against the two firms for their working conditions and treatment of staff.
According to the moderators, they are paid low wages, with no job security or benefits. They work long hours, often under stressful conditions, and are not given adequate training or support. Furthermore, they are exposed to disturbing content, including violence, hate speech, and sexual exploitation, which can have a traumatic impact on their mental health.
One of the moderators who wished to remain anonymous said, “We are treated like disposable machines, expected to work impossible hours for peanuts, and then discarded when we can’t take it anymore. We are the invisible army that keeps these platforms safe, and yet our work is undervalued and ignored.”
The complaints have been filed with the Kenyan Labour Court, alleging that Meta and Sama have violated the rights of their employees and breached local labour laws. The moderators are demanding better working conditions, fair pay, and recognition for the crucial role they play in protecting users from harmful content.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Meta said, “We take the wellbeing of our content reviewers very seriously, and we have put in place a number of measures to support them. This includes providing counselling services, wellness programmes, and regular breaks. We are also committed to paying fair wages and providing a safe working environment.”
However, the moderators argue that these measures are inadequate and that more needs to be done to address their concerns. They are calling on Meta and Sama to engage in dialogue with them and to take their complaints seriously.
The legal offensive against Meta and Sama is part of a broader movement to improve the working conditions of content moderators around the world. These workers play a vital role in moderating online content, but they often do so in difficult and dangerous circumstances, with little recognition or support.
As the digital world continues to expand, the importance of content moderation is only going to grow. It is essential that these workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that their contributions to the online world are recognised and rewarded.
