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Meta Contractor Ignored Threats to Ethiopian Content Moderators by Rebel Group, Court Documents Reveal

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Court documents filed on December 4 reveal that Sama, a contractor for Meta, allegedly dismissed threats made by Ethiopia’s Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) against Facebook content moderators working on graphic and inflammatory posts from the region. The revelations are part of an ongoing legal battle involving 185 former moderators in Kenya, who claim wrongful dismissal after attempting to unionize.

The moderators, who worked for Kenya-based Sama before Meta switched contractors to Majorel, said they were blacklisted from reapplying for roles at Majorel. Some moderators specializing in Ethiopian content reportedly received explicit threats from the OLA for removing the group’s posts.

One moderator, Abdikadir Alio Guyo, stated in his affidavit that he received a message warning him and his colleagues to stop deleting OLA content or face “dire consequences.” Another, Hamza Diba Tubi, reported receiving a message from the rebels listing moderators’ names and addresses, leaving him fearful for his safety and that of his family.

While Sama eventually moved one identified moderator to a safehouse, the petition alleges that the company initially dismissed the moderators’ complaints, accusing them of fabricating the threats.

Hate Speech Concerns in Ethiopia

The court documents also accuse Meta of failing to address systemic issues surrounding hate speech on its platform in Ethiopia. Alewiya Mohammed, a former supervisor of moderators, testified that moderators were caught in a “loop of hateful content” they were unable to remove because it did not technically violate Meta’s policies.

Experts previously hired by Meta had recommended more robust action against harmful content in Ethiopia, but the advice was allegedly ignored.

Broader Legal and Ethical Implications

This case is one of several ongoing legal challenges faced by Meta concerning its operations in Ethiopia. A separate lawsuit filed in 2022 accused Meta of allowing violent posts on Facebook to escalate the Ethiopian civil war between federal forces and Tigrayan regional authorities.

Meanwhile, the current lawsuit involving the dismissed moderators could have global repercussions for how Meta engages with third-party contractors and content moderators.

Meta has yet to comment on the allegations, while Sama said it could not provide a statement on the matter. The Oromo Liberation Army has also not responded to requests for comment.

The situation highlights the dangerous environment moderators face, particularly in regions like Ethiopia, where content moderation intersects with armed conflicts.

Australia Proposes Groundbreaking Ban on Social Media for Under-16s

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Australia’s centre-left government introduced a landmark bill in parliament on Thursday, seeking to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 years old. The proposed legislation is poised to implement some of the most stringent restrictions globally, holding platforms accountable with fines reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32 million or Rs. 270 crore) for systemic non-compliance. This ambitious move highlights growing concerns over the impact of social media on young users’ mental health, privacy, and safety.

Central to the enforcement of this ban is a proposed age-verification system, which could include biometric scans or the use of government-issued identification. If implemented, this trial system would represent a significant step in regulating digital spaces and ensuring that only individuals above the mandated age gain access to these platforms. However, the use of such invasive technologies has already sparked debates over privacy risks and the feasibility of widespread implementation.

Uniquely, the Australian proposal sets the world’s highest age restriction for social media usage, with no allowances for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. This no-exemption approach is designed to close potential loopholes and ensure uniform compliance across platforms. It reflects a departure from more lenient models seen in other countries, where parental approval often provides a workaround for age limitations.

Critics of the proposal have raised concerns over the balance between protecting young users and respecting personal freedoms. Questions also linger about how the age-verification measures might impact marginalized groups with limited access to technology or identification documents. Meanwhile, proponents argue that the policy is a necessary step to curb the harmful effects of unchecked social media use on children and set a global precedent for stricter digital regulation

Meta Hit with EUR 798 Million Fine by EU for Abuse of Classified Ads Market Dominance

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Meta Platforms Inc. has been fined €798 million ($841 million or approximately ₹7,100 crore) by European Union regulators for violating antitrust laws, marking the tech giant’s first-ever penalty for EU antitrust violations. The fine stems from Meta’s practice of tying its Facebook Marketplace service to its broader social media platform, Facebook. This decision is a significant step in the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate big tech companies and ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace.

The European Commission’s ruling requires Meta to cease its practice of forcing users to access Facebook Marketplace through the Facebook platform, thereby eliminating unfair advantages over competing online classified ad services. The decision also mandates that Meta stop imposing trading conditions that hinder other classified ad platforms, effectively allowing more competition in the second-hand goods market. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager emphasized that Meta’s actions had harmed rivals and restricted consumer choice.

In her statement, Vestager stated, “Meta tied its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and imposed unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers.” The Commission found that Meta used its dominant position in social media to promote Facebook Marketplace, disadvantaging competitors in the online classified ads space. This move, according to the EU, unfairly benefited Facebook Marketplace at the expense of rivals, such as eBay and other local classified ad platforms.

This fine highlights the European Union’s commitment to regulating the behavior of large technology companies, particularly when it comes to market dominance and anti-competitive practices. Meta now faces the challenge of restructuring its Marketplace service to comply with the EU’s ruling and avoid further penalties. As the case continues to evolve, the EU’s regulatory approach may serve as a precedent for similar investigations into other tech giants with a significant market presence.