Tech

Kenyan judge rules Meta can be sued, tried in-country

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2023

A Kenyan judge, Judge Matthews Nduma has ruled that Facebook parent company, Meta, can be sued and tried in the country after disengaged moderators filed a lawsuit against the platform and its local outsourcing partners, Sama, over their termination which they say was unlawful.

The disengaged moderators numbering 184, had, last month, filed the lawsuit against the group and Sama for “unfair termination.”

In the petition, the moderators said they were fired in retaliation for complaints about working conditions and attempts to form a union.

A spokesperson for the moderators, Juanita Jones said the company had exposed them to danger and did not protect the workers in the Nairobi hub.

“I do this work because I believe in protecting people. Moderation is the frontline defence of the internet – and it is time to value the work like it, not treat it as some disposable, dead-end job,” Jones had said.

The moderators added that they were blacklisted from applying for the same roles at another outsourcing firm, Luxembourg-based Majorel, after Facebook switched contractors from Sama to Majorel.

But in a counter suit, Meta had argued that Kenyan courts had no jurisdiction to entertain the case.

However, in the ruling on Thursday, Judge Nduma issued an interim injunction against Meta and Sama, preventing them from terminating the moderators’ contracts pending a judgment on the legality of their redundancy.

“The court finds that this court has jurisdiction to determine the matter of alleged unlawful and unfair termination of employment on grounds of redundancy,” the judge said.

Related Topics:Facebook Featured Kenya Lawsuits Meta Moderators

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Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

16 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.