Sama, former Meta and OpenAI data contractor, is liquidating, citing lawsuits and falling revenue
A Nov. 6 letter to creditors reviewed by TIME shows about $1 million in assets against $17 million in liabilities; it does not say which class action drove the decision.
Why it matters
Sama was one of the best-known firms doing the human labelling and moderation work behind AI systems; TIME previously reported it moderated content for Meta and labelled data for OpenAI, work employees said exposed them to traumatic material. The letter blames competition compounded by class-action litigation, and Sama faces lawsuits in Kenya and the US, including a consolidated Kenyan case against Sama and Meta. Watch how those cases proceed now that the company is winding down, and who takes on its remaining contracts.
Key facts
- Letter to creditors dated Nov. 6
- About $1 million in assets, $17 million in liabilities (October, unaudited)
- Blames declining revenues and class-action litigation
- Faces lawsuits in Kenya and the US