With a fine of 14.3 million dollars, converted about 12.3 million euros, Facebook is now free from further prosecution over the matter.
The US Department of Justice sued Facebook in December for allegedly actively discouraging Americans from applying for certain positions. Those jobs were reserved for foreign applicants who could work for Facebook through a so-called H-1B work visa. The US issues those visas to highly skilled workers with highly specialized knowledge.
The Justice Department’s civil rights division called the settlement “historic.” It would be the largest fine ever imposed by this department. Of the amount, just under $4.8 million is intended as a punishment. The remaining $9.5 million will go to people who would have been duped by Facebook’s personnel policy.
“Facebook is not above the law and must abide by all federal civil rights laws that prevent discrimination in the hiring and hiring process,” said District Attorney Kristen Clarke. Facebook, on the other hand, believes that everything went according to the rules. The company, which also owns WhatsApp and Instagram, said it wanted to avoid a lengthy legal battle by settling.
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