Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has failed to prevent a Kenyan court from hearing a case alleging poor working conditions at the company.
Meta sought dismissal of the case, claiming that Kenyan courts have no jurisdiction because Meta is not domiciled in, or trades from, Kenya, but the judge rejected the claim.
Daniel Motaung, a former content moderator for the local outsourcing company Sama, said he was paid about $2.20 (£1.80) per hour to review posts containing beheadings and child abuse.
Mr. Motaung developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the stress of his job (PTSD). He claims he was fired for attempting to form a union in order to advocate for better working conditions.
“We are overjoyed with the decision. It is not only historical but also globally significant “Amnesty International Kenya’s head, Irungu Houghton, told BBC Focus on Africa.
“This could be the first time Meta has appeared in a court of law in the global south.”
It will also allow “content moderators to be protected in a court of law in the countries in which they live,” he said.
Meta is also facing a separate case in Kenya, where it is alleged that Facebook’s algorithm aided in the viral spread of hatred and violence during Ethiopia’s civil war.
Among those bringing the case against Meta is Abraham Meareg, the son of an Ethiopian academic who was killed after being attacked in Facebook posts.
They want a $2 billion (£1.6 billion) fund for victims of hate speech on Facebook, as well as changes to the platform’s algorithm.
Meta stated that it has made significant investments in moderation and technology to combat hate.
