By Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, has agreed to share user details of accounts that distributed explicit content involving South African school children, ending a tense court face-off with local authorities.
The story began when a South African law firm, the Digital Law Company, discovered disturbing content being shared on WhatsApp and Instagram, private images and details of schoolchildren, posted for all to see. Worse, new accounts were being created every few minutes, making it hard to stop the spread.
The firm quickly got a court order forcing Meta to shut down more than 60 of these channels and pages. The court also demanded Meta hand over details, names, emails, numbers, IP addresses, of those behind the accounts so police could act.
At first, Meta did not comply. This led to a contempt of court case, with the threat that Meta’s top official in Southern Africa could be jailed for ignoring the order. Meta argued the wrong corporate divisions were named in the court action and hesitated, but critics said the tech giant simply wasn’t willing to act, even though the safety of children was at risk.
The tide turned as public pressure grew and more child protection groups raised the alarm. Under mounting criticism, and the hammer of the court, Meta finally said it would supply the information required within three business days, as long as the details stayed confidential. The court ruling also set up a two-year direct hotline between Meta and the Digital Law Company to respond to future urgent cases.
Emma Sadleir, who led the Digital Law Company team, celebrated the verdict: “We are absolutely elated at the judgment handed down by the Johannesburg High Court today. We welcome this victory and will be celebrating.”
Thandi Mokoena, a spokesperson for a Johannesburg-based child welfare group, said: “This sends a strong message that tech companies cannot hide behind privacy policies when children’s safety is at stake.”
Not everyone is fully at ease. The South African Digital Rights Forum urged caution: “While protecting children is paramount, we must ensure that data disclosures do not set a precedent for unchecked surveillance.”
Legal experts say this case could reshape how tech giants respond to local laws in Africa. “It’s a balancing act between user privacy and public interest,” said Karl Blom, a senior associate at a leading law firm. He noted that Meta’s move shows courts in Africa can pressure global firms, but it also opens up tough questions about just how far such orders should go.
This ruling may effect changes beyond South Africa, as Nigeria and Kenya also face growing calls for big tech companies to respect tough data privacy rules. The issue touches on more than just one country, how companies handle data protection, privacy promises, and their duty to protect the public.
For users, there’s a dilemma. Many are relieved to see fast action against cybercrime, but some worry this could be the first step towards less privacy on messaging platforms. WhatsApp’s encryption might protect the content of messages, but subscriber data, account details and connection info, can still reveal identities.
South Africa’s privacy regulator is also not letting up, warning tech giants that scrutiny will only grow if they don’t follow local law.
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