Meta Contract Ends: Kenyan Workers Sacked Amidst Smart Glasses Scandal

More than 1,000 low-paid workers in Kenya have been laid off by Sama, an outsourcing company for Meta. This action occurred after Meta terminated its contract with Sama, reportedly due to allegations that some Kenyan workers viewed private content captured by Meta's AI smart glasses. The footage allegedly included users in private situations like using the toilet or engaging in sexual acts.

The Oversight Lab, an organization supporting the affected workers, stated that the employees were given only six days' notice. This situation follows a previous wave of layoffs of Sama content moderators for Meta, which led to a civil lawsuit alleging severe psychological distress among workers exposed to horrific online content.

Meta confirmed it paused work with Sama and subsequently ended their engagement, stating that Sama did not meet their standards. The company also clarified that while humans review AI content with user consent, they decided to end the contract. This news comes as Meta faces other challenges, including a recent jury verdict regarding addictive social media product design.

Sama maintained that it is a responsible employer, providing living wages, full benefits, and wellness resources. However, The Oversight Lab described the layoffs as "devastating" and "shocking," emphasizing the vulnerability of outsourced workers in the global south and the power imbalance in the AI industry.