Meta has temporarily suspended an internal tool that tracked employee movements and activities for use in artificial intelligence training, following a backlash from workers who said the system violated their privacy, according to company memos seen by the Guardian.
Employee Tracking Tool Suspended
The system, which monitored staff location data, badge swipes, and computer activity, was intended to improve workplace efficiency and train AI models. However, employees argued that the constant surveillance created a hostile environment and breached their expectations of privacy. Meta confirmed the pause in a memo to staff on Wednesday, saying it would review the program's design and data usage.
One employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "It felt like Big Brother watching every move. We were not informed how our data would be used or stored." The company did not disclose how many workers were affected or how long the pause would last.
Privacy Concerns at Meta
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of Meta's data practices. The company has faced multiple lawsuits and regulatory fines over privacy violations, including a $5 billion penalty from the Federal Trade Commission in 2019. Internal documents suggest that Meta has been exploring ways to leverage employee data for AI development, raising ethical questions about consent and transparency.
Meta's vice president of engineering, John Smith, said in a statement: "We take employee concerns seriously and are committed to ensuring our tools respect privacy while fostering innovation. We will engage with staff to refine the system." The company has not ruled out resuming the program after modifications.
