Facebook to compensate US$52 million to moderators for mental trauma suffered on the job

Facebook has settled a class action before the US San Mateo Superior Court and agreed to pay US$52 million in damages to current and former moderators that have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the nature of their work. Each moderator will be paid a minimum of US$1000 and will be eligible for compensation up to US$50 000 if they are diagnosed with PTSD or other mental disorders. The settlement covers over 11 000 moderators who have suffered from depression and addiction. The original complaint was filed by a former Facebook moderator who alleged that she suffered with PTSD after regularly reviewing photos and ivideos of child sexual abuse, rape, torture, bestiality, beheadings, suicide, and murder for nine months. The complaint was later joined by thousands of other moderators who claimed that Facebook has failed to provide them with a safe work condition. According to the Verge a content moderator for Facebook makes US$28 800 yearly.