Meta has ended a major content moderation contract with Kenyan outsourcing firm Sama, a move that will result in more than 1,100 job losses and marks a turning point in how the tech giant handles harmful content on its platforms.
Sama confirmed the layoffs in a statement, noting that the decision follows Meta’s move to terminate their partnership. Since 2019, Sama had been contracted to moderate content on Facebook across sub-Saharan Africa, employing hundreds of workers tasked with reviewing and removing violent, hateful, or otherwise harmful material.
The decision comes after years of mounting criticism and legal challenges faced by both companies over working conditions for content moderators.
In 2023, nearly 200 former Sama employees filed a lawsuit alleging unfair dismissal. The workers claimed they were subjected to inhumane conditions, including forced labour and irregular pay. A separate complaint had also been filed in 2022 by a former South African employee, further intensifying scrutiny on the company’s operations.
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Moderators have long raised concerns about the psychological toll of their work, citing constant exposure to disturbing and graphic content. Many have argued that their wages do not adequately reflect the risks to their mental health, and have called for compensation and improved protections.
Sama has consistently denied the allegations, stating that it provides employees with a living wage, full benefits, and access to professional counselling services.
Meta, in its own statement, said the contract was ended because Sama failed to meet its standards. However, the company also indicated a broader shift in its moderation strategy, noting that future efforts would rely more heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning systems.
The move reflects a growing trend among major tech companies to automate content moderation processes, reducing dependence on large human workforces. While AI tools promise greater efficiency, critics argue they still struggle with context, language nuance, and cultural sensitivity—areas where human moderators have traditionally played a crucial role.
For Kenya, the immediate impact is significant. The loss of over 1,100 jobs represents a major blow to workers in the country’s growing outsourcing sector, many of whom relied on these roles despite the challenges involved.
The development raises broader questions about the future of digital labour in Africa and the human cost of the tech industry’s increasing shift toward automation.
