Meta shifts content moderation operations to Ghana amid abuse allegations

In early 2024, Meta Platforms Inc. relocated its content moderation operations from Kenya to Accra, Ghana, following serious allegations of worker abuse and exploitation in its previous site. The move came after multiple lawsuits were filed in Kenya against both Meta and its contractor, Sama, alleging rights violations, union-busting, and inadequate mental health support for moderators forced to process graphic content. The scandal surrounding Meta's Kenyan operations sparked outrage and led to scrutiny of the company's treatment of its overseas workers. The new moderation site in Ghana employs around 150 individuals under conditions deemed worse than those faced in Kenya. Workers report severe mental health issues including depression and insomnia, worsened by the pressure to meet demanding targets without sufficient psychological support. They are also strictly prohibited from disclosing their jobs to family members, under threat of dismissal or deportation. The dire situation has attracted legal attention; lawyers from the non-profit Foxglove are preparing a lawsuit against Meta and its French subcontractor, Teleperformance. Reports show that employees struggle with low pay despite claims by Teleperformance that wages exceed the local minimum. Moderators are forced to contend with distressing material all day while telling themselves and others that they do not work for Meta. The move to Ghana was marked by severe restrictions on disclosures, highlighting a pattern of secrecy likely aimed at shielding the company from accountability regarding its labor practices. Advocates call for immediate reforms to protect workers from exploitation and better safeguard their mental well-being. The discontent surrounding Meta's operations raises critical questions about the ethical considerations of outsourcing labor, especially in regions with limited regulatory oversight. This ongoing saga has further fueled discussions about the responsibility of powerful tech companies to ensure humane working conditions for all their contractors, no matter where they operate globally. As worker voices emerge in the face of these challenges, the larger implications for tech industry practices and corporate accountability remain uncertain.