In a Kenyan High Court, a case has been filed against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, by two Ethiopian citizens and a Kenyan civil society organization, The Katiba Institute. The plaintiffs claim that Meta’s promotion of content on Facebook led to ethnic violence and killings during a conflict in northern Ethiopia from November 2020 to November 2022.
The High Court is set to hear arguments on the jurisdiction to address the case, specifically challenging the Facebook algorithm for allowing and promoting unlawful content. The two Ethiopian petitioners, Abraham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle, along with The Katiba Institute, are at the forefront of this legal action.
Abraham Meareg lost his father in November 2021 due to hate posts on Facebook, while Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International employee, faced online threats. They argue that Facebook’s algorithms facilitated harmful content that contributed to human rights violations.
A recent ruling by Kenya’s Supreme Court regarding Meta’s liability for the actions of its former content moderators in Kenya may impact the ongoing case against Meta in the Kenyan High Court. The ruling suggests that foreign companies like Meta can be held accountable for their actions in Kenya, even if conducted through third-party contractors.
However, the High Court will need to evaluate the unique circumstances of the case, including the alleged human rights violations and the role of Meta’s algorithm in promoting harmful content. This case highlights the importance of accountability in regulating online platforms and their impact on real-world events.