Tech

Kenyan judge rules Meta can be sued in local courts for rights violations

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2023

A Labour Court in Kenya has ruled that Facebook’s parent company, Meta, can be sued in the East African country, following a suit filed by a former Facebook moderator, Daniel Motaung, claiming poor working conditions.

Meta had, in a counter suit, tried to have the case dropped, with the argument that Kenyan courts do not have jurisdiction over their operations.

The social media company had argued that while it has operations in Kenya, it’s a foreign company and its contracts with Sama don’t make it susceptible to Kenyan laws.

But while delivering judgement on the case on Monday, the Labour Court judge, Justice Jacob Gakeri, dismissed its appeal and insisted that Kenyan courts can rule on the case.

In the originating suit, Motaung, a South African national, had alleged that Meta and its local outsourcing partner, Sama, had exposed him and his colleagues to “toxic” work conditions while they were contracted to work as content moderators.

Matuong had claimed that he was subjected to “forced labor, exploitation, human trafficking, unfair labor relations, union busting, and failure to provide adequate mental health and psychosocial support” by Facebook and its parent company.

In his ruling, Justice Gakeri said:

“The second and third respondents’ names, Meta Platforms Inc and Meta platforms Ireland Ltd, shall not be struck out at this stage.”

The case between Motaung and Meta is due for further determination in early March.

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Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation

Tech

Moroccan retail-tech startup Z raises $1.5m to drive intense growth

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Morocco-based B2B retail-tech marketplace, ZSystems, has announced closing a $1.5 million seed funding round which will see it carry out its ambitious expansion dreams.

In a statement by co-founder and CEO, Meriem Benabad, the funding round was led by Morocco-based Venture Capital firms, MNF Ventures (through its MNF II fund), Witamax (through Fund II and III), Cash Plus Ventures, and Kalys Ventures.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for Z, as we aim to scale operations and bring cutting-edge solutions to traditional retail.

“Our vision is to empower small businesses and unlock growth across Morocco and Africa,” Benabad said.

According to Benabad, the newly acquired capital will support Z’s technology development, product catalogue expansion, and preparation for its next growth phase.

“Z is reshaping the retail landscape by integrating technology and innovation across the value chain. Its scalable platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market,” he added.

Founded in 2022 by the trio of Benabad, Samer Choumar and Youssef Ait-Haddouch, Z’s platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market.

Since launch, the startup has helped over 15,000 active retailers, and seen more than 800,000 orders placed.