FACEBOOK has agreed to pay $52 million to current and former moderators to compensate them for mental health issues that evolved when they were on the job, according to a report.
The preliminary settlement filed on Friday in San Mateo Superior Court in California, The Verge reported.
Selena Scola sued Facebook two years ago and alleged that she developed PTSD after regularly viewing images of rape, murder, and suicide, the news outlet reported.
She said she developed symptoms after nine months on the job at the Mark-Zuckerberg-led company.
Former employees in at least four states say Facebook did not provide a safe workspace, according to the lawsuit obtained by The Verge.
The outlet found that moderators were making as little as $28,000 per year.
Facebook has agreed to make changes to its content moderation tools as part of the settlement.
The tools will include muting audio by default and changing videos to black and white, according to The Verge.
The modifications will impact all moderators by next year.
“We are grateful to the people who do this important work to make Facebook a safe environment for everyone,” Facebook said in a statement.
“We’re committed to providing them additional support through this settlement and in the future.”
Every moderator will reportedly receive $1000 under the terms of the settlement, but some could receive up to $6000 depending on what they were diagnosed with.
Former moderators could receive up to $50,000 if their injuries warrant, according to The Verge.
Source: Read Full Article