In a disheartening development for the Kenyan workforce, more than 1,000 employees of the outsourcing firm Sama have been abruptly dismissed following the termination of a contract with Meta, the parent company of Facebook. This decision has raised significant concerns regarding job security in the technology sector, particularly in regions of the global south where precarious employment conditions prevail. The layoffs, announced on Thursday, were precipitated by allegations that workers were exposed to disturbing content captured by Meta’s AI-enabled smart glasses.
Contract Termination and Allegations
Last month, Meta suspended its collaboration with Sama after reports emerged that employees were required to view sensitive footage, including instances of individuals using the toilet and engaging in sexual activities, recorded through the company’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. This revelation has sparked outrage and calls for greater scrutiny of the practices employed in content moderation and AI training.
In a statement, Meta clarified that it takes user privacy seriously, asserting, “Photos and videos are private to users. Humans review AI content to improve product performance, for which we get clear user consent. We’ve also decided to end our work with Sama because they don’t meet our standards.” This response, however, has done little to alleviate the concerns of advocacy groups and the affected workers, who have been left in a precarious position.
Impact on Workers and Legal Implications
The layoffs come just six days after the workers were informed of their termination, a timeline that has been condemned by the Oversight Lab, an organisation dedicated to advocating for fair technology practices in Africa. The group is currently advising the dismissed employees on potential legal avenues. This situation echoes a previous incident in 2024, when a civil lawsuit was filed against Sama, alleging severe psychological distress among content moderators due to the nature of the material they were required to review.
Kauna Malgwi, a former Sama employee, emphasised that the issues at play extend beyond a single contract. “This issue is not confined to one company or contract. It shows how the global AI industry is shaped. Power sits with large technology companies. Risk flows downward, affecting outsourced workers, often in the global south, who have the least protection and highest exposure,” she stated.
Sama’s Response and the Wider Implications
In response to the situation, Sama expressed empathy for the affected employees, stating, “We recognise the impact this has on our team and are supporting affected employees with care and respect.” The company claimed to be a “responsible corporate citizen,” asserting that its workforce receives fair wages, comprehensive benefits, and access to wellness resources. Such assurances, however, have done little to mitigate the fallout from the layoffs.
The Oversight Lab described the mass firings as “devastating and shocking,” urging a reevaluation of current employment strategies in the tech sector. “The time has come for us to recognise that our current strategies are harming our youth, hurting our economy and in no way advance Kenya’s participation in the AI ecosystem,” the organisation stated.
Legal Precedents and Accountability
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over the practices of major tech firms. A recent ruling by a Los Angeles jury found that both Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube had intentionally designed addictive features that led to harm among young users. This growing trend of accountability may have implications for how tech companies manage their outsourced operations and the treatment of workers in vulnerable positions.
Why it Matters
The mass layoffs at Sama highlight a troubling trend within the global technology sector, where job insecurity and exploitation of workers are increasingly prevalent, particularly in developing countries. As major corporations like Meta wield significant influence, the repercussions of their decisions reverberate through local economies and communities. This situation calls for urgent reform in how tech companies approach labour practices, ensuring that the rights and welfare of all workers are prioritised in the pursuit of innovation and profit. The fallout from this incident could serve as a catalyst for change in the industry, necessitating a more equitable distribution of power and protection for those on the front lines of technological advancement.
