Meta is rolling back parts of a controversial internal initiative that collected employee activity data for training artificial intelligence systems after weeks of criticism from workers, according to an internal memo first reported by Reuters.
The company had recently introduced software on the computers of U.S.-based employees that tracked mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes, and other workplace interactions. The data was intended to help train AI models as Meta pushes ahead with efforts to develop autonomous AI agents capable of performing workplace tasks.
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The program quickly sparked concern among employees, many of whom questioned the level of monitoring involved and raised privacy concerns. Some staff members reportedly described the company as an “Employee Data Extraction Factory,” reflecting growing unease over how workplace data was being gathered and used.
In response to the backlash, Meta is introducing new safeguards and giving employees greater control over the data collection process. According to the memo authored by Stephane Kasriel, a vice president in Meta’s AI model-building Superintelligence Labs unit, employees will now be able to pause data collection for up to 30 minutes at a time and request exemptions from the initiative.
“While we remain confident in the privacy protections we put in place at launch, which went through several layers of risk review, we have heard your concerns about personal data on work devices, battery life, and wanting more control over when capturing happens,” Kasriel stated in the memo.
The changes extend beyond privacy controls. Kasriel also noted that the team responsible for the software had introduced improvements aimed at reducing the program’s impact on device performance and internet usage. Employees had complained that the software was consuming significant amounts of data and draining laptop batteries, with some reporting spikes in their home internet usage.
The tracking initiative was launched during a period of major restructuring inside Meta as the company races to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive AI landscape. The effort reflects a broader trend among technology companies seeking larger datasets to improve the capabilities of advanced AI systems.
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However, the controversy could also add to Meta’s existing regulatory challenges, particularly in Europe, where regulators have closely scrutinized how technology companies collect, process, and deploy data. The company’s handling of employee-generated data may attract additional attention as policymakers continue debating the boundaries of AI development and privacy protections.
As companies accelerate their AI ambitions, workplace surveillance and data collection practices are likely to face increasing scrutiny from both workers and regulators.