Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, has agreed to comply with a South African court order requiring the disclosure of user data related to the circulation of explicit content involving schoolchildren.
- Meta has agreed to comply with a South African court order to disclose user data related to the distribution of explicit content involving schoolchildren.
- The legal case highlights cybercrime concerns, with organized campaigns disseminating illicit material through social media platforms.
- Under court pressure, Meta committed to deactivating accounts and releasing data within three business days.
The decision comes as South Africa grapples with rising cybercrime, including WhatsApp scams and the spread of illegal content.
This development follows a high-profile legal case initiated by social media law expert Emma Sadleir, who took action against the tech giant after discovering over 30 Instagram accounts and at least six WhatsApp channels distributing illicit content and personal information of South African schoolchildren.
Court documents revealed that new accounts were being created “every few minutes” to distribute the material, indicating an organized and persistent campaign that has sparked nationwide concern and urgent legal action.
Sadleir, representing The Digital Law Company, emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable children. She said, “This is about protecting vulnerable children. Full compliance with the court order is critical to identifying the perpetrators.”
In support of the lawsuit, the Pretoria High Court ordered Meta to discontinue the identified accounts and provide subscriber information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and IP addresses used at account creation and last login.
Despite the urgency, Meta’s initial refusal to comply prompted the legal team to file a contempt of court application. The tech giant however argued that the filing had misidentified legal entities, thereby delaying the process.
Critics claimed that Meta was avoiding accountability despite having the technical means to respond.
Amid growing public and legal pressure, Meta agreed to a settlement on July 18, specifically due to the threat of imprisonment for Meta’s Southern Africa representative, Thabiso Makenete.
The company has since deactivated over 60 accounts and promised to provide the requested data within three business days under strict confidentiality.
Emma Sadleir, founder of The Digital Law Company, described the agreement as unprecedented, she said, “This may be the first time in South Africa that a global tech company has formally agreed in writing to provide such data in compliance with a local court order.”
Regulatory compliance mars Meta, SA relations
Notably, this is not the first time both entities have conflicted. South Africa’s Information Regulator has previously had disputes with Meta over compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
In 2024, WhatsApp was criticized for vague privacy terms and unauthorized data-sharing with Meta and third parties. This case adds another layer on recent security concerns, testing Meta’s willingness to balance privacy obligations with public safety demands.
While child protection advocates have welcomed the ruling as a major step toward digital accountability, digital rights organizations have warned about the broader implications.
“We must ensure that data disclosures do not set a precedent for unchecked surveillance,” a spokesperson for the South African Digital Rights Forum noted.
As global regulatory environments tighten, Meta’s compliance in this case underscores the growing influence of African courts and regulators and their willingness to challenge global platforms in defense of public safety.
Olamilekan Okebiorun
