Meta Faces Lawsuit Over Dismissal of Ethiopian Moderators

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Content moderators working for Meta, Facebook’s parent company, have accused the tech giant and its contractor of ignoring threats from Ethiopian rebels, according to new evidence presented in a Kenyan court.

image from Reuters

Rebel Retaliation Sparks Fear Among Moderators
The moderators claim members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) threatened them after they removed rebel posts from Facebook. Allegedly, Sama, a Kenya-based contractor hired by Meta, dismissed their complaints and even accused them of fabricating the threats before partially acting on the issue.

Allegations of Blacklisting and Retaliation
The moderators allege they were dismissed for unionizing efforts and subsequently blacklisted from reapplying for similar roles with Majorel, Meta's new contractor. The court filing by Foxglove, a British non-profit supporting the moderators, outlines accusations that Sama failed to adequately protect employees or address their concerns.

Testimonies Highlight Intimidation
One moderator revealed that after receiving threatening messages listing names and addresses of colleagues, he avoided visiting family in Ethiopia out of fear for their safety. Another reported receiving direct threats from the OLA, warning moderators to stop removing their graphic posts.

Meta’s Handling of Hate Speech Under Scrutiny
The case also accuses Meta of ignoring recommendations from its hired experts to tackle hate speech in Ethiopia, leaving moderators overwhelmed by content that technically bypassed Meta’s policies. One expert stated they felt trapped in “an endless loop of hateful content” that was allowed to remain online.

Wider Implications for Content Moderation Practices
The lawsuit could impact how Meta collaborates with content moderators globally, with questions being raised about its policies and the protection of workers tasked with reviewing sensitive material.

Broader Context of Ethiopia’s Conflict
The allegations come against a backdrop of escalating violence in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region, where OLA rebels have been accused of killing civilians following failed peace talks. This case also coincides with separate accusations that Meta allowed violent and hateful posts to fuel Ethiopia’s civil war.

Meta and Sama declined to comment on the allegations, while OLA representatives did not respond to requests for statements.

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