Meta Stops Tracking Employee Data After Sensitive Information Was Reportedly Exposed
Meta a controversial surveillance toolwhich tracks employees’ keystrokes, mouse clicks and content to train the company’s AI models, didn’t work as planned. The Model Capability Initiative, which was launched in April and strongly opposed by employees, has been suspended following an incident in which employee data was accessed throughout the company.
A few weeks ago, more than 1,600 Meta employees, including software engineers, research scientists and designers, signed a petition asking the company to stop collecting and reusing employee computer data.
“We collectively believe that empowering people and communities by building trustworthy AI includes respecting their boundaries and privacy,” the petition said. “Any approach to AI that relies on intrusive, coercive, inconsistent data collection runs counter to that goal.”
Business Insider reported that the software tracks apps and programs such as Gmail, GChat and Metamate, an AI assistant for employees, as part of data collection. Data tracking software also captured screenshots. It is not clear if it will be returned.
Citing an internal security memo and information from three Meta employees, Wired reported that confidential conversations, briefings, transcripts, and performance reviews were disclosed to “anyone inside the company.”
In a statement obtained by Wired, a Meta spokesperson said the company is investigating the incident and will stop tracking data permanently.
“We have carefully designed this program with privacy protections in mind, and while we have no indication at this time that any data has been improperly accessed by Meta employees, we are temporarily suspending it while we investigate,” said a spokesperson for the agency.
A representative for Meta did not respond to CNET’s request for comment.
Employers are increasing the use of AI
Meta, which is spending at least $135 billion on AI infrastructure this year, is among the biggest tech companies amassing AI investments, including Amazon ($200 billion), Microsoft ($190 billion), and Alphabet ($185 billion).
Meta AI, the company’s main chatbot, is integrated into major social networks such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.
According to leaked audio of an internal company meeting on April 30, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it made sense to use his employees to train AI.
“AI models learn by watching really smart people do things… The average intelligence of the people in this company is much higher than the average set of people you would get to do jobs,” Zuckerberg said.
Rory Mir, director of open access and technology community engagement at the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Meta employees have a right to object to the invasive practice that raises privacy, consent, and trust concerns.
“Looking for new data for AI training is not an excuse,” Mir told CNET. “Such disproportionate monitoring of employees is an abuse of power and highlights the need for legislation to protect employee privacy by requiring consent and due process.”
Companies monitor how much their employees use the company’s AI tools in their daily work. CNBC reported in May that “almost every Fortune 500 is tracking overall AI use” to determine whether employees are using it effectively and maximizing its potential.
