Meta’s Content Moderator Subcontractor Model Faces Legal Squeeze in Spain

A court in Spain has ruled that a subcontractor of Meta’s content moderation services must provide better support for the mental health of its workers. The ruling is significant as it highlights the need for companies like Meta to take greater responsibility for the well-being of their contractors and subcontractors.

The case involved Telus International, a Canadian company that operates a subsidiary called CCC Barcelona Digital Services, which provides content moderation services for Meta. However, employees at the company reported high levels of stress and mental health issues due to the demanding nature of their work, including shift work and exposure to traumatic content.

The court’s decision requires Telus International to implement measures to protect the mental health of its workers, such as providing access to counseling services, reducing shift work, and increasing pay. The ruling also sets a precedent for other companies that outsource content moderation tasks to subcontractors.

Meta has faced criticism in recent years over its treatment of content moderators, who are often employed by third-party contractors and may not receive adequate support or compensation for their work. This ruling highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry, as well as better working conditions for those who perform critical but often thankless tasks.

Some key points from the article include:

• A court in Spain has ruled that a subcontractor of Meta’s content moderation services must provide better support for the mental health of its workers.
• The company, Telus International, will be required to implement measures to protect the mental health of its employees, including providing access to counseling services and reducing shift work.
• The ruling sets a precedent for other companies that outsource content moderation tasks to subcontractors and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry.
• Meta has faced criticism over its treatment of content moderators, who are often employed by third-party contractors and may not receive adequate support or compensation for their work.