Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is now confronting a £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) lawsuit after Kenya’s High Court ruled that legal proceedings against the tech giant could move forward. The case centers on allegations that Facebook played a role in inciting deadly violence in Ethiopia during the country’s civil conflict.
The lawsuit, filed by two Ethiopian nationals, seeks not only financial compensation but also significant changes to how Meta moderates harmful content in Africa. The plaintiffs are calling for Facebook’s algorithm to stop promoting hate speech and violent incitement. Additionally, they demand that Meta hire more content moderators who are familiar with local languages and contexts. A restitution fund totaling $2.4 billion is also being requested to support those harmed by such content.
One of the plaintiffs, Abrham Meareg, is the son of Professor Meareg Amare Abrha, who was fatally attacked outside his home in 2021. His murder occurred shortly after his address and threatening messages were posted on Facebook amid rising tensions during Ethiopia’s civil war. The second plaintiff, Fisseha Tekle, a former Amnesty International researcher, says he faced Facebook-based death threats due to his reports exposing atrocities in the Tigray region. Tekle claims these threats have prevented him from returning to his home country.
Meta previously contended that Kenyan courts lacked jurisdiction over the matter, since Facebook’s content moderation for the region was based in Nairobi. However, the court disagreed, affirming that the case falls within Kenya’s legal boundaries.
Reacting to the ruling, Abrham Meareg expressed gratitude and criticized Meta’s attempt to avoid accountability. “It’s unacceptable for Meta to argue it is above the law in Kenya. African lives matter,” he said. Tekle added that while Meta cannot undo the harm, it can still overhaul its content policies to prevent future tragedies. “I hope the court fully hears our case and pushes for real change,” he said.
The lawsuit has garnered support from various advocacy groups, including Amnesty International, the legal non-profit Foxglove, and the Katiba Institute—an NGO focused on upholding Kenya’s constitutional values. The suit also seeks an official apology from Meta for the events that led to Professor Meareg’s death.
In a 2022 joint investigation by the Observer and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, it was revealed that Facebook permitted posts containing hate speech and incitement to violence in Ethiopia, despite internal recognition of the platform’s role in escalating conflict.
At the time, Meta defended its efforts, claiming it had invested in safeguarding users by implementing stricter rules to curb hate speech and misinformation. However, the company announced in January that it would be scaling back its fact-checking operations and reducing what it termed as “censorship,” while continuing to address serious violations.
Meta has declined to comment on the ongoing legal case.
