Meta pauses employee tracker for AI training amid privacy concerns

Meta paused an internal program designed to track employee computer activity on June 24, 2026, following significant privacy concerns and internal opposition. The program, which collected data on employee keystrokes, mouse clicks, and screen content, was intended to train Meta's artificial intelligence models. This initiative faced a backlash from employees, who reportedly organized and signed a petition against the invasive monitoring. The pause indicates a temporary halt to the data collection for AI training purposes, suggesting Meta is re-evaluating its approach to employee data privacy in the context of AI development. The company, which owns major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has not yet announced a timeline for resuming or modifying the program. This decision highlights the growing tension between the demand for large datasets to build advanced AI and the ethical considerations surrounding employee surveillance and data privacy.