Meta Could Face Contempt Charges In South Africa
The Digital Law Company has applied to hold Meta Platforms in contempt of court after it did not provide data on individuals who posted harmful content about South African school children on WhatsApp. If Meta does not comply with the order to release the alleged perpetrators’ data, the law firm wants the judge to jail Thabo Makenete, Meta’s public policy head for Southern Africa.
This came after the Digital Law Company received an urgent court order, urging Meta to remove explicit content and share identifying details, such as names, emails, and phone numbers, of those operating the disturbing channels, as reported by My Broadband.
Although Meta did take down some WhatsApp and Instagram accounts, new ones quickly emerged. However, Meta has not provided the essential user data needed to pursue legal action, according to the firm.
Meta potentially facing contempt charging
Social media legal expert Emma Sadleir, founder of The Digital Law Company, stated that she was contacted by someone on Friday, July 11, regarding two accounts posting illegal content.
Sadler said the content being posted was “horrific” and shared that the perpetrator solicited submissions from followers featuring underage minors. Further investigation revealed a network of accounts and channels on Instagram and WhatsApp with significant reach, according to Sadler.
They found over a thousand posts, including photos and videos, that had been posted in a span of just a few days across 30 different accounts.
Meta’s response
Meta said it has a zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and is dedicated to ensuring the safety of its users. “We can confirm that the accounts we have been able to identify have been shut down and we have submitted reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in line with applicable laws,” it said.
Meta’s legal representatives in South Africa said that the Digital Law Company had directed their demand at the wrong people. “We have never sought any relief from Facebook SA, which (as we understand it) has no control over WhatsApp and Instagram. That control resides with Meta, to whom our demand was indeed addressed,” it said.
But, Sadler claims the letter was addressed to the correct Meta officials, not Facebook South Africa, which she admits does not have control over WhatsApp or Instagram. “It’s a distraction,” the firm said.
A hearing on its contempt of court application has been scheduled for Friday, July 18, 2025. If Meta fails to comply with the original court order by 14:00 on Saturday, July 19, the firm requests that the court issue an arrest warrant for Makenete.
Image: Solen Feyissa
