Meta Terminates Sama Contract, Over 1,000 Kenyan Workers Sacked
Activists say mass layoffs expose precariousness of tech jobs in global south as outsourced AI workers given just six days' notice
Quick Look
- Meta has terminated its contract with Nairobi-based outsourcing company Sama, resulting in over 1,000 Kenyan workers being abruptly laid off.
- The workers, primarily involved in content moderation and AI training, were given just six days' notice.
- This follows last month's revelations that some workers were asked to view private content filmed using Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This is not the first time Sama has faced controversy. In 2024, a civil lawsuit alleged severe psychological harm among 140 content moderators who had to watch horrific online content. The company has previously denied wrongdoing and stated workers receive living wages and comprehensive wellness support.
More than 1,000 low-paid workers in Kenya have been abruptly sacked by an outsourcing company contracted by Meta, in what activists said was a shocking move exposing the precariousness of tech jobs in the global south.
Sama, a company based in Nairobi to which Meta outsourced content moderation and AI training work, announced on Thursday that the workers were being laid off after Meta terminated a contract.
Last month reports said some Kenyan workers involved in data annotation were asked to view content filmed using Meta's AI smart glasses showing wearers using the toilet or having sex.
The sacked workers, many involved in AI training, have been given six days' notice, according to the Oversight Lab, an organisation that advocates for fair regulation and deployment of technology across Africa. It said it was advising the workers on legal options.
After a previous wave of mass layoffs of Sama content moderators for Meta, in 2024 a civil lawsuit alleged severe PTSD, depression and anxiety among 140 workers as a result of sometimes horrific online content they had had to watch.
Last month Meta paused its work with Sama after allegations about the workers viewing private scenes filmed using the company's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which Meta's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, regularly wears.
"Photos and videos are private to users," Meta said. "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."
Sama said in a statement: "We recognise the impact this has on our team and are supporting affected employees with care and respect." It said it was "a responsible corporate citizen".
"Our teams receive living wages and full benefits, and have consistently had access to comprehensive wellness resources, full medical benefits and on-site counselling support," it said.
The Oversight Lab called the layoffs devastating and shocking. It said: "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."
Kauna Malgwi, a former worker at Sama, said: "This issue is not confined to one company or contract. This 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."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Oversight Lab will likely file or support a legal case on behalf of the sacked workers
Very likely · Within weeks
Kenyan government may introduce regulations on outsourced tech work
Possible · Within months
Other tech companies may review their outsourcing practices in Africa
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will Meta or Sama provide any severance or support to the laid-off workers?
- Will Kenyan regulators take action to protect outsourced tech workers?
- How will this affect other outsourcing companies in Kenya and the global south?
