Workers in Africa challenge Meta over digital exploitation
African content moderators take on tech giant Meta, demanding global accountability
ACCRA, Ghana (MNTV) – African tech workers are leading a groundbreaking legal challenge against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
As reported in an Al Jazeera opinion piece, the lawsuit filed by content moderators in Kenya could set an important precedent for workers’ rights in the global tech industry.
The moderators, who are employed by a third-party contractor, allege that they were subjected to unsafe working conditions, psychological trauma, and discriminatory practices while reviewing harmful content for Meta platforms.
They claim they received minimal mental health support despite daily exposure to disturbing material.
“This is about fairness, dignity, and respect for African workers,” said one of the lead plaintiffs.
Labour activists say the case highlights broader issues of digital colonialism, where Western tech giants benefit from cheap labour in the Global South while escaping accountability for workers’ welfare.
Meta has denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged the challenges faced by content moderators.
The company says it is committed to improving working conditions and mental health support.
This lawsuit has drawn global attention, with human rights groups, labour unions, and digital rights activists voicing support for the moderators.
If successful, it could significantly reshape how multinational tech companies manage their workforces around the world.
Observers say the case could trigger a domino effect, inspiring similar legal actions by tech workers in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Already, several NGOs are preparing to file amicus briefs in support of the Kenyan plaintiffs.
Labour rights experts insist that big tech must not be allowed to outsource harm without accountability.
“The world must pay attention to what is happening in Africa,” said a Nairobi-based activist. “Digital justice is a global issue.”
The case against Meta could mark a turning point in global labour rights, particularly in the tech industry, where the invisible labour behind algorithms and platforms has long been ignored.
As African workers rise to challenge a global giant, the world watches closely, recognising that the future of digital work may be decided not in Silicon Valley, but in African courtrooms.
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