Kenyan firm lays off more than 1,000 workers after Meta contract paused

A Kenyan outsourcing company has laid off more than 1,000 employees after its work with Meta Platforms was put on hold.

The firm, Sama, said the job cuts followed a pause in operations linked to one of its major contracts with the US technology company.

The move comes after allegations that some workers were required to review potentially sensitive footage recorded using smart glasses. Reports suggested the material included private scenes, raising concerns about how such data was being handled and the conditions under which employees were working.

Meta said it expects its partners to follow strict standards on privacy and data protection. The company has not provided detailed public comment on the specific allegations but emphasised that it takes such concerns seriously.

Sama confirmed the layoffs but did not specify how long the pause in work is expected to last. The company has previously been involved in content moderation and data annotation services for large technology firms.

The job losses are likely to have a significant impact in Kenya, where outsourcing roles have become an important source of employment, particularly for young workers.

Labour groups have raised concerns about the wider implications for workers involved in content review and emerging technologies. They say the case highlights ongoing questions about worker welfare and exposure to sensitive material.

The development also points to the risks faced by outsourcing firms that depend heavily on contracts with global technology companies, where changes in business relationships can lead to sudden job losses.