Meta has paused its controversial employee-tracking program after reportedly exposing sensitive worker data.
The Model Capability Initiative (MCI) was introduced in April to train Meta’s artificial intelligence systems on its staff’s workplace actions.
The software captures employees’ mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes, while also monitoring what happens on their screens.
The aim was to allow Meta’s AI models to replicate how humans interact with computers – an area where artificial intelligence has typically struggled.
In an internal memo at the time, Meta chief technology officer Andrew Bosworth told workers that the internal data collection would help the company operate more efficiently by having AI agents do most of the work.
“The vision we are building towards is one where our agents primarily do the work and our role is to direct, review and help them improve,” he said.
The MCI tool has now been suspended while the Facebook and Instagram owner investigates potential data security issues, according to an internal security notice first reported by Wired.
A database filled with sensitive information was reportedly exposed to anyone who works at the company, with one former employee describing it as a “mess” that was inevitable since the program was first introduced.
“When workers raised concerns, leadership doubled down and failed to acknowledge the risks workers raised about safety and privacy of worker and customer data,” the person, who has been involved in pushing back against the AI training initiative, told the publication.
“Leadership has clearly created an authoritarian environment where workers are no longer respected or heard.”
Criticism from current employees, which was shared on internal forums, ultimately forced Meta to pause the MCI tool.
“We have carefully designed this program with privacy safeguards and while we have no indication at this time that any data was improperly accessed by Meta employees, we’re pausing it while we investigate,” a Meta spokesperson said.
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