Overview
- Meta had installed software on U.S. employee laptops that records mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes to gather data for building AI agents that can perform work tasks.
- Following staff complaints about personal data capture, battery drain and rising home internet use, Meta introduced a pause control that stops data capture for up to 30 minutes.
- The firm now allows employees to request exemptions from the program, with reports saying some remote workers and staff handling sensitive material may qualify.
- Meta says the project underwent multiple risk reviews, that the data will be used for AI training rather than performance monitoring, and that engineers added optimizations to cut battery and data use.
- Workers continue to press concerns through petitions and organizing in the U.K., and the dispute is tied to wider unease at the company during a major restructuring and planned layoffs.