From Data Workers to Data Workers: The Data Labelers Association
This podcast tells a story of transnational solidarity among data workers, focusing on Kenyan data labelers who organized to improve their working conditions and gain recognition. It follows how worker-led collective action in Nairobi connects to broader global struggles for justice in the digital economy.
By Aaliyah, Omar & DLA
Recommended citation:
Anonymous authors. (2026). From Data Workers to Data Workers: The Data Labelers Association. In: M. Miceli, A. Dinika, K. Kauffman, C. Salim Wagner, & L. Sachenbacher (eds.). Data Workers‘ Inquiry. Creative Commons BY 4.0. https://data-workers.org/essen-dla
This piece can be used, shared, and adapted with proper attribution.
Welcome to: From Data Workers to Data Workers — the podcast that goes behind the scenes of the digital world to share the stories of the people who work tirelessly to keep our online spaces safe. I’m Omar, and today I’m joined by Aaliyah. Together, we bring you an inspiring story of resilience, solidarity, and change.
Our colleagues in Nairobi, Kenya, face tremendous challenges but meet them with incredible strength and determination. As data labelers—the unsung heroes who help moderate and add crucial context to online content—they have achieved something extraordinary: the creation of the Data Labelers Association, a worker-led group fighting for better conditions and recognition.
In this episode, we’ll hear directly from the leaders of this movement. We’ll explore how they overcame obstacles, built a community, and raised their voices for thousands of data labelers. We’ll also discuss what support they need from companies, governments, and the public to keep driving change.
Stay with us as we dive deep into the world of content labeling in Kenya and beyond—uncovering their challenges, victories, and hopes for the future.
About the Authors
Joan
A devoted mother of one and a seasoned professional in the microwork industry, Joan brings over five years of experience in remote digital tasks. Her deep understanding of the challenges data labelers face has shaped her leadership in advocating for fair pay and better working conditions. Joan’s commitment to empowering others stems from her own journey, and she leads DLA with empathy, vision, and determination.
Ephantus
A Kenyan advocate for the rights and recognition of AI workers, including data labelers, content moderators, and annotators. He serves as the Vice President and Programs Manager at the Data Labelers Association (DLA), a grassroots organization working to improve labor conditions, promote fair pay, and advance digital literacy among AI workers. With years of hands-on experience in data annotation, customer support, and AI operations, Ephantus brings a deep understanding of the invisible human labor behind artificial intelligence. His work focuses on amplifying worker voices, fostering ethical AI practices, and building bridges between technology and human rights.
Omar
Omar has been working at Telus International since 2017. For him, the most important thing is to establish content moderation as officially recognized occupational work, so that after working for several years one does not have a gap in one’s CV because of lacking recognition. Additionally, this would allow workers like him to demand adequate wages and numbers of vacation days, as opposed to the bare minimum that is currently company policy.
Aaliyah
Aaliyah has been working as a Content Moderator for the past seven years. She started this journey as a student. Over time, she has connected with fellow Content Moderators from around the world, and realized that, despite different national regulations, they all face very similar challenges and difficult working conditions. This experience has made her deeply aware of the need to improve this profession, to ensure better working environments and to give Content Moderators the recognition and respect this job truly deserves.