Meta in row after workers who saw smart glasses users having sex lose jobs
Meta has ended its contract with Sama, a company it hired to train AI using data from its smart glasses, after some Kenyan workers reported viewing graphic content, including people using toilets and having sex. Sama disputes Meta's claim that it failed to meet standards, while a Kenyan workers' organization alleges the contract was terminated in retaliation for whistleblowing. Regulators in the UK and Kenya have launched investigations into privacy concerns related to the glasses and the data handling practices.
- ▪Workers at Sama in Kenya reported viewing intimate footage, including people having sex and using toilets, captured by Meta's smart glasses.
- ▪Meta terminated its contract with Sama, leading to 1,108 job losses, citing failure to meet its standards—a claim Sama denies.
- ▪Regulators in the UK and Kenya have opened investigations into privacy issues raised by the use of Meta's smart glasses and content review practices.
- ▪Sama previously faced controversy over moderating Facebook content, with workers alleging psychological harm from exposure to graphic material.
- ▪Meta states that human review of AI content occurs with user consent and is intended to improve product performance.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Meta in row after workers who say they saw smart glasses users having sex lose jobs2 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleChris VallanceSenior technology reporterAFP via Getty ImagesMeta is under pressure to explain why it cancelled a major contract with a company it was using to train AI, shortly after some of its Kenya-based workers alleged they had to view graphic content captured by Meta smart glasses.In February, workers at the company, Sama, told two Swedish newspapers they had witnessed glasses users going to the toilet, and having sex.Less than two months later, Meta ended its contract with Sama, which Sama said would result in 1,108 workers being made redundant.Meta says it's because Sama did not meet its standards, a criticism Sama rejects.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Bbc.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Bbc
