Meta Suspends Employee Monitoring Programme Amid Privacy Concerns
Meta has suspended a company-wide employee monitoring initiative designed to collect workplace computer usage data for artificial intelligence training, following growing concerns over privacy and data security.
The programme, known internally as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), was introduced approximately two months ago as part of the company’s efforts to improve its AI systems. The initiative involved tracking employees’ interactions with their work computers, including activities such as mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes, with the aim of generating data that could help train future AI models.
However, the programme quickly sparked backlash among staff, many of whom expressed discomfort over the extent of the monitoring and raised questions about how the collected information would be stored, protected, and ultimately used.
Meta confirmed that it halted the initiative on Monday after discovering that some of the data gathered through the programme may have been accessible to a wider group of employees than intended.
A company spokesperson said the programme is currently “on pause for now” while Meta investigates the issue. The spokesperson added that there is currently no evidence suggesting the data was improperly accessed by employees.
The suspension follows weeks of internal resistance. Thousands of workers reportedly signed a petition calling for the cancellation of the programme, arguing that the level of surveillance was excessive and lacked adequate transparency.
In response to the criticism, Meta had previously attempted to ease concerns by allowing employees to temporarily opt out of tracking for short periods during the workday. However, some staff reportedly viewed the measure as insufficient.
Employees who spoke anonymously to media outlets said many workers were frustrated not only by the monitoring itself but also by the fact that participation was mandatory. While some acknowledged the company’s desire to strengthen its position in the competitive AI race, they argued that employees should have been given a choice regarding data collection.
The controversy comes at a time when Meta is investing heavily in artificial intelligence while simultaneously restructuring parts of its workforce. The company has carried out layoffs, reassigned employees to AI-focused projects, and committed significant resources to expanding its AI capabilities.
Current and former employees have reportedly described morale within the company as strained, with some expressing concerns about the pace of organisational changes and the growing emphasis on AI initiatives.
Meta has not indicated when, or if, the employee monitoring programme will resume. The company says it is reviewing the situation and assessing the security concerns that prompted the suspension.
