[8] Sama's platform breaks down complex data projects from large companies into small tasks that can be completed by women and youth in developing countries with basic English skills after a few weeks of training.

While working as an English teacher she was seeing her students' ambition combined with the rise in global literacy and access to technology during that time provided the initial inspiration for Samasource.

[13] After completing a degree in African Development Studies from Harvard University, Janah worked as a consultant at Katzenbach Partners (now Booz & Company) and at the World Bank.

Janah, was included in Conde Nast's Daring 25 list in 2016[24] and as one of "Five Visionary Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World" by The New York Times Style Magazine in 2015.

Demands included that the company adhere to Kenyan labor, privacy, and health laws; that they provide adequate healthcare and insurance for their employees; and that they improve compensation.

The threatened lawsuit followed a Time report detailing how Sama recruited content moderators under the false pretense that they would take jobs at call centers.

[36] In a post published after the revelation, Sama denied any wrongdoing and said the company is transparent in its hiring practices and maintains a culture that "prioritizes the health and well-being of employees".

Motaung accused the subcontractor of various constitutional violations, including "widespread trauma, pay as low as $1.50 per hour, and alleged union busting.