Meta Pauses Employee Activity Tracking Program Over Data Security Concerns

Meta has temporarily suspended an internal employee monitoring program used to train its artificial intelligence models after concerns emerged about potential data security and privacy risks.

The program, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), was introduced in April and collects employee computer activity, including mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes. According to Meta, the initiative was designed to help improve and train the company’s AI systems. However, recent reports revealed that sensitive employee information linked to the program may have been accessible to a broad number of staff members.

The decision to pause the AI training initiative follows an internal investigation triggered by a high-priority security incident report. Documents reviewed by Reuters indicated that exposed information may have included AI prompts, conversation transcripts, private discussions, employee performance data, and internal sensitivity ratings.

Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton confirmed the company is investigating the matter and said the program was developed with privacy protections in place. While Meta stated there is currently no evidence that employees improperly accessed the information, the company decided to halt the initiative while the review is underway.

Although the suspension was announced on Monday, a source told Reuters that the system was still collecting data later that day. Meta explained that the shutdown process is being implemented gradually and may take time to reach all employees.

The controversy comes after Reuters reported in May that the monitoring program was gathering more information than initially disclosed and storing some data without encryption, raising concerns among employees about privacy and data protection.

Internal discussions reportedly included calls for a broader investigation. One employee noted that personal tax records and medical information had been accessed through company devices and expressed concerns about whether the promised safeguards were sufficient.

The development highlights growing scrutiny over workplace monitoring tools, employee privacy, data security practices, and the use of internal data for AI model training as technology companies continue expanding their artificial intelligence capabilities.