The landmark case, which stems from alleged hate speech on the platform during the 2020-2022 civil war in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region, could have implications for how Meta works with content moderators globally.

The company has argued that local courts do not have the power to hear cases against it where it is not registered as a company.

Kenya's High Court rejected that argument in its ruling on Thursday, said the Katiba Institute, which is a plaintiff in the case alongside two Ethiopian researchers.

"The court here has refused to shy away from determining an important global matter, recognising that homegrown issues must be addressed directly in our courts," said Nora Mbagathi, the institute's Executive Director.

A Meta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The plaintiffs allege that Facebook's recommendation systems amplified violent posts in Ethiopia during the Tigray war.

--Reuters--