Meta has terminated its contract with the Kenyan outsourcing company Sama, leading to over 1,100 job losses amid allegations of privacy breaches and scrutiny over the use of human workers in training AI systems through highly sensitive data review.
Meta has ended its contract with Sama, the Nairobi-based outsourcing company, triggering the loss of more than 1,100 jobs and intensifying scrutiny over how human workers are used to train artificial intelligence systems. According to reports from Reuters-linked coverage and other investigations, the breakup came after allegations that staff were asked to review intimate and highly sensitive footage captured by Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
The controversy has drawn attention because the work at issue involved data annotation for AI systems connected to the glasses, which Meta has marketed as capable of taking photos, translating speech and assisting users in real time. Investigative reporting by Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten suggested that some content sent for review included scenes from bathrooms, changing rooms and other private settings, raising questions about whether the devices were recording material users did not fully understand or consent to share.
Meta said the contract was terminated because Sama did not meet its standards. The company has also maintained that it takes privacy seriously and that any review of images or video is conducted with user consent and for product improvement. Sama, however, has disputed the justification for the split, saying it had met operational, security and quality requirements and had not been formally told of any failings.
Labour groups in Kenya have accused Meta of moving against the contractor only after workers began speaking publicly about the nature of their work and the conditions they faced. The Africa Tech Workers Movement has argued that the closure may amount to an effort to shut down criticism of the hidden labour behind AI training, a concern that has long shadowed content moderation and data labelling work in the global south.
The dispute comes against a broader backdrop of legal and regulatory pressure. Sama has been involved in an ongoing lawsuit brought by former content moderators from several African countries, who allege exploitation, low pay and inadequate mental health support. Separately, Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has opened investigations into possible privacy breaches linked to the smart glasses, adding a regulatory dimension to a row that now spans labour rights, consumer consent and AI ethics.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 30 April 2026, which is 14 days after the initial reports of Meta ending its contract with Sama on 16 April 2026. ([kenyans.co.ke](https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/122656-over-1100-jobs-risk-meta-ends-deal-nairobi-based-firm?utm_source=openai)) The delay in reporting raises concerns about the freshness of the information. Additionally, the article references earlier reports from 16 April 2026, indicating that the narrative has been covered previously. The inclusion of updated data but recycling older material suggests a lack of originality. The article also includes a photo of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from 18 September 2025, which may not be directly relevant to the current events.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Meta and Sama representatives. However, these quotes are not independently verifiable, as they are not attributed to specific sources or publications. Without access to the original statements or press releases, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be confirmed. This lack of verifiability raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article is published on Kenyans.co.ke, a Kenyan news website. While it is a local source, it may not have the same level of international recognition as major news organisations. The article references other reputable sources, such as The Guardian and The Washington Post, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single source for the main narrative and the lack of direct quotes from these reputable sources diminish the overall reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article discusses the termination of Sama’s contract by Meta, leading to the redundancy of over 1,000 employees. This aligns with reports from other reputable sources, such as The Washington Post. However, the article introduces new claims about the nature of the content reviewed by Sama employees, including sensitive and explicit footage. These claims are not corroborated by the referenced sources, raising questions about their accuracy. The article also mentions investigations by data protection authorities, but without specific details or references, the credibility of these claims is uncertain.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article raises significant concerns regarding freshness, originality, and source independence. The delay in reporting, reliance on a single source, and lack of direct quotes from reputable sources diminish the overall credibility. The introduction of unverified claims about the nature of the content reviewed by Sama employees further undermines the reliability of the information presented.
