Former content moderator Daniel Motaung speaks about his traumatic experiences with toxic content on Facebook and the lack of support from managers, which led to a lawsuit. US lawyer Cori Crider discusses the importance of content moderation in conflicts, while activist Leah Kimathi highlights the need for investment in moderating African languages. They all advocate for improved working conditions and specific legislation governing social media companies in Africa.
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Quick takeaways
Content moderators in Africa face challenges with toxic online content and are demanding better working conditions and fair pay.
The outsourcing model for content moderation has raised concerns about worker safety, prompting the formation of unions to advocate for change and comprehensive regulation.
Deep dives
Plight of Content Moderators in Africa
Content moderators in Africa face significant challenges due to exposure to toxic and violent online content. Daniel Motau, a former content moderator for Facebook through Sama, shared the traumatic experiences he encountered, including having nightmares and a heightened fear of death. Moderators dealt with graphic and violent content, such as beheadings and sacrificial killings. Demands for better working conditions, adequate mental health support, and fair pay have been raised. Legal action has been taken against Sama and Meta, emphasizing Facebook's responsibility as the true employer of content moderators. The case aims to transform the factory floor of content moderation and ensure a safe and fair working environment.
Outsourcing Challenges and Union Formation
The outsourcing model for content moderation has raised serious concerns about worker safety and protection. Moderators demand that big tech companies in-house their workers to provide better conditions and fair pay. The first pan-national content moderators union in Africa was formed to challenge big tech companies' practices and advocate for change. Examples highlight how TikTok has offered full employment contracts in certain locations but not for African workers. The goal is to negotiate with companies and set standards for the content moderation system through united content moderator unions.
Need for Regulation and Accountability
The experiences of content moderators in Africa underscore the need for comprehensive regulation and accountability for big tech companies. Advocates emphasize the importance of developing a region-wide legal framework tailored to the African context. The European Union's Digital Services Act is cited as a relevant example, while acknowledging the cultural nuances that should be considered. Efforts are being made to challenge the business practices of tech giants and demand fair treatment and protection for content moderators in Africa.
We hear from former moderator Daniel Motaung, who has taken Meta and their outsourcing partner, Sama, to an employment tribunal in Nairobi.
US lawyer Cori Crider, from tech justice NGO Foxglove - which supports Daniel and others who have taken legal action - believes that content moderation is one of the most important tech jobs, particularly when there is a conflict in the region. The recent war in Ethiopia and some of the posts made on Facebook were the catalyst for another lawsuit challenging Facebook’s algorithms.
And social researcher and activist Leah Kimathi believes that there is not enough investment in moderating in various African languages. She also campaigns for the Big Tech and African governments to end, what she calls, the “Wild West” approach and get together to create specific legislation governing how social media companies operate on the continent.
Produced and presented by Ivana Davidovic
(Image: Daniel Motaung. Credit: Foxglove)
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