Amnesty International has once again raised concerns about Meta’s involvement in human rights abuses, this time in Ethiopia. The organization previously highlighted Meta’s role in human rights violations against the Rohingya in Myanmar and warned that without fundamental reform to Meta’s business model and content algorithms, such harms could recur.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, expressed disappointment in Meta’s response, saying, “Three years after its staggering failures in Myanmar, Meta has once again – through its content-shaping algorithms and data-hungry business model – contributed to serious human rights abuses.”
Amnesty’s research indicates that Facebook, owned by Meta, played a significant role in amplifying harmful content targeting the Tigrayan community during the armed conflict in Ethiopia.
The platform’s algorithmic systems failed to detect and respond adequately to this harmful rhetoric, resulting in tragic consequences, including the killing of Tigrayan university professor Meareg Amare.
The report also reveals that, despite claims of learning from past mistakes, Meta’s systemic failures recurred in Ethiopia.
Evidence from the Facebook Papers suggests that Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, personally intervened to prevent mitigation measures in high-risk countries, citing potential interference with key metrics.
Amnesty International calls on Meta to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by Facebook in Ethiopia, especially in light of the ongoing security crisis in the Amhara region.
The UN and other experts have warned of the heightened risk of genocide and atrocity crimes in various Ethiopian regions, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms.
The report underscores the urgent necessity for Meta to reform its business model and practices to prevent future human rights violations.
Amnesty international calls for the introduction and enforcement of legislation to regulate Big Tech companies and emphasizes the responsibility of these companies to respect human rights and be held accountable for their contributions to violations.
