Myanmar genocide refugees sue Meta in Irish court over disinformation.
Myanmar genocide refugees sue Meta in Irish court over disinformation.
Meta Faces Legal Action for Alleged Role in Myanmar Genocide
Six years after the start of the brutal ethnic cleansing that resulted in the loss of over 25,000 lives and the displacement of 700,000 people of Muslim Rohingya descent, the victims are taking Meta, formerly known as Facebook, to Ireland’s High Court. The social media giant is being held responsible for its alleged contribution to the spread of hate speech during the 2017 Myanmar genocide, a horrific war crime that shook the world.
The Rohingya refugees, who have sought shelter in refugee camps in Bangladesh, are determined to hold Meta accountable for creating an echo chamber that amplified anti-Rohingya sentiment, ultimately fueling the violence and forcing the ethnic group to flee their home country en masse. Amnesty International made a strong statement, accusing Facebook’s algorithms and Meta’s relentless pursuit of profit as catalysts for the tragedy. They argue that the platform’s algorithms facilitated the growth of disinformation, which ultimately led to real-life violence on the ground.
In 2018, Facebook acknowledged its slow response to hate speech in Myanmar. The company recognized the need for improvement and committed to hiring more Burmese speakers and investing in technology to identify problematic content. However, to date, Facebook and Meta have not provided any compensation. This failure to take responsibility has left the victims deeply frustrated and seeking justice for the suffering they endured.
One Rohingya refugee, Maung Sawyeddollah, living in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, expressed his anger towards Facebook, Meta, and Mark Zuckerberg, the driving force behind it all. In an op-ed for Al Jazeera, he blamed the social media company for allowing anti-Rohingya sentiments to proliferate and for promoting disinformation that ultimately resulted in the tragic violence. His words capture the frustration and deep-seated anger that many Rohingya refugees feel towards the tech giant.
The recent legal actions were initiated by two Dublin-based law firms representing 17 Rohingya refugees. Bringing the cases to court in Ireland is strategic, as Meta, the company’s parent, has its headquarters there, and content moderation was done in Dublin. While this isn’t the first time the Rohingya community has pursued legal action against Meta, a $150 billion lawsuit filed in California was dismissed for various reasons, including the immunity granted to platforms like Facebook under the US’ Communications Decency Act. Now, the world watches with anticipation to see how the Irish courts will address these claims.
Beyond the specific case at hand, the legal proceedings against Meta raise broader concerns about the spread of disinformation on social media platforms. The Rohingya genocide anniversary is an unfortunate reminder of the grave consequences that can arise from the unchecked proliferation of hate speech. It serves as a call to action for governments and tech companies worldwide to take responsibility and address the issue proactively.
Ironically, the sixth anniversary of the Rohingya genocide coincided with the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act. This legislation aims to protect users online from harmful or illegal content, disinformation, and violations of privacy and free speech. It is crucial that Big Tech aligns with these regulations and that the EU enforces them effectively. Only through such measures can we hope to prevent tragedies like the Myanmar genocide from happening again.
Dealing with the aftermath of the Myanmar genocide requires a unified effort from governments, tech companies, and social media platforms. It is a responsibility that cannot be ignored or taken lightly. The legal battle faced by Meta serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of apathy and inaction can be absolutely devastating.
