FACIL’iti legal threats result in automated website accessibility backlash

French web accessibility firm FACIL’iti filed legal threats against web accessibility expert Julie Moynat and consultancy Koena, both o f whom had been publicly critical of the company. Moynat and Koena had questioned the effectiveness of FACIL’iti's automated a ccessibility overlay product, which promised instant, full accessibility and compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. They argued the company's marketing claims fail to match reality. The legal threats, issued by FACIL’iti's law firm HAAS Avocates, took the form of ' p oursuites bâillons ' (or legal g agging orders, roughly equivalent to a US SLAPP suit ), and are typically used to intimidate or silence critics or opponents with the prospect of full legal proceedings. The move sparked a backlash against the company and raised further questions about the efficacy of automated web accessibility products and the industry in general. It also prompted French trade union Cinov Numerique to issue a ' Motion of support' for Koena . System 🤖 FACIL’iti 🔗 Operator : Julie Moynat, Koena Developer: FACIL’iti Country: France Sector: Business/professional services Purpose: Improve website accessibility Technology: Web accessibility overlay Issue: Accuracy/reliability; Effectiveness/value Legal, regulatory 👩🏼‍⚖️ https://www.lalutineduweb.fr/en/help-lawyer-fees-faciliti-lawsuit/ https://koena.net/en/koena-given-formal-notice-by-faciliti/ https://koena.net/3-questions-a-yves-cornu-facil-iti/ https://www.cinov-numerique.fr/motion-de-soutien-a-lentreprise-koena/

Date it happened

2021-10-01

Organisation involved

Julie Moynat; Koena

Product, system or model

FACIL’iti

This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.