Sama, Meta’s Main Content Moderation Partner In Africa Shuts Down Operations
Sama, Meta’s Main Content Moderation Partner In Africa Shuts Down Operations. African content moderation company and Meta’s main content moderation partner in Africa, Sama has announced that it is shutting down its operations. This follows after Sama and Meta were sued in Kenya for union busting and exploitation, and just weeks after another lawsuit called for Meta to increase its content moderation capacity in Kenya.
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
According to Yahoo finance Meta sourced the moderators from across Africa, and the closure will likely leave a section without work permits. Sama’s content moderation services will end in March, allowing for a transition period for Meta’s new third-party contractor. Meta will continue to employ 1,500 Sama staff for data labeling.
In order to fulfil its mission of providing people with a safe space where they can communicate ideas, Meta will seek to resolve this issue in a timely manner as content moderation is a very key aspect in ensuring that users feel safe and comfortable to use the platform. Other Meta competitors might take this opportunity and use it to gain an edge over Meta in the African region, as most companies want to own a piece of the fast rising African digital market.
