Rohingya survivor accuses Meta of contributing to Myanmar atrocities in complaint
d a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Meta for its alleged involvement in facilitating the dissemination of content that encouraged violent attacks against the Rohingya community in Myanmar. The complaint, as reported by Amnesty International, highlights Maung Sawyeddollah’s concerns that Meta misled its shareholders about its role in perpetuating the violent assaults on the Rohingya population in 2017. Despite being cautioned by civil society groups about the dangers of using Facebook to incite violence against the Rohingyas, Meta allegedly kept this information hidden from its investors.
Securities laws play a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of investors by ensuring that they receive accurate and essential information regarding the assets they are considering purchasing. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 outlines specific conduct regulations in the markets and mandates that corporations provide shareholders with pertinent information before seeking their votes on corporate decisions. In light of these violations, Amnesty International has voiced its support for Maung Sawyeddollah’s legal action against Meta. The organization noted that Meta rejected a shareholder proposal to conduct a human rights impact assessment and establish an internal committee overseeing the company’s human rights framework.
Amnesty International also criticized Meta for its failure to enforce Community Standards in Myanmar by allowing the circulation of content inciting hatred and violence against the Rohingya community in the lead-up to the tragic events of 2017. The rights group highlighted Meta’s ineffective content moderation policies, attributing the shortcomings to inadequate staffing and budget allocation for content moderation. Additionally, a report by the organization in 2022 found that Meta’s algorithms actively promoted content that encouraged violence, discrimination, and hatred against the Rohingya people.
Over the past few years, Meta has faced regulatory scrutiny for various violations, including data storage mismanagement and activity bans. Notably, the company recently announced the termination of its fact-checking programs due to concerns about potential “over-censorship” on its platforms. This decision was met with criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who emphasized Meta’s complicity in fostering violence through the dissemination of harmful and misleading content across its social media channels.
