187 former Facebook content moderators file $1.6 billion lawsuit against Meta

Kenya’s Court of Appeal has upheld a Labour Court decision allowing 187 former Facebook content moderators to file a lawsuit against Meta, the company that owns social media platforms Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook.

The two lawsuits Meta is handling in Kenya are from a former Sama moderator who is suing the social media giant for allowing offensive content, and 187 former Sama moderators who claim they were wrongfully fired and are seeking damages.

The ruling could lead to a possible settlement after talks collapsed in October to hold Meta accountable for the actions of moderators in East Africa’s largest economy. The former moderators are seeking $1.6 billion in damages.

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“The case was carried out by the content moderator against Meta, Sameand Majorel can now proceed. Facebook argues that they are a foreign company that cannot be sued in Kenya,” Mercy Mutemi, an advocate representing former Facebook moderator Sama, said on Friday.

The main case, involving unfair dismissal, is still pending, Justices DK Musinga, Asike-Makhandia and J. Mativo said. If a settlement cannot be reached, the matter will proceed to the first instance court.

“Whether the termination of employment is legal or not, that will be decided in the trial. We will not talk anymore,” the judges said.

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