Meta stops tracking employee data after sensitive information is disclosed

dead A controversial monitoring toolwhich tracked keystrokes, mouse clicks and content made by employees to train the company’s AI models, didn’t quite work as planned. The modular capability initiative, implemented in April and strongly opposed by employees, was temporarily halted after an incident in which employee data became accessible to the entire company.

Over the past few weeks, more than 1,600 Meta employees, including software engineers, research scientists, and designers, I signed a petition Calling on the company to stop collecting and reusing employee computer data.

“We collectively believe that empowering individuals and communities by building responsible AI includes respecting their boundaries and privacy,” the petition reads. “Any approach to AI that relies on intrusive, coercive, and non-consensual data collection runs counter to this principle.”

Business Insider reported this The software tracked apps and software such as Gmail, GChat, and Metamate, an artificial intelligence assistant for employees, as part of the data collection. The data tracking software also captured screenshots. It is unclear whether it will be returned.

Citing an internal security notice and information from three Meta employees, Wired reported that private conversations, claims, transcripts, and performance reviews had been disclosed to “anyone inside the company.”

In a statement I got it wiredA Meta spokesperson said the company is investigating the incident and will stop tracking data indefinitely.

“We carefully designed this program with privacy safeguards in mind, and while we have no indication at this time that Meta employees have been improperly accessed, we are pausing it while we investigate,” the spokesperson said.

A Meta representative did not respond to CNET’s request for comment.

Employers are ramping up the use of artificial intelligence

Meta, which is spending at least $135 billion on AI infrastructure this year, is among several major technology companies Intensifying investment in artificial intelligenceIncluding Amazon ($200 billion), Microsoft ($190 billion), and Alphabet ($185 billion).

Meta AI, the company’s flagship chatbot, is integrated into major social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

according to Audio leaked From an internal company meeting on April 30, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it makes sense to use his employees to train AI.

“AI models learn from watching smart people do things,” Zuckerberg said. “The average intelligence of the people working at this company is much higher than the average of the group of people whose tasks you can do.”

Rory MairDirector of Open Access and Technical Community Engagement at the Digital Rights Group Electronic Frontier Foundationsaid Meta employees were right to oppose the invasive practice that raises privacy, consent and trust concerns.

“Seeking new data for AI training is no excuse,” Mir told CNET. “Such disproportionate surveillance of workers is an abuse of power and highlights the need for legislation to protect workers’ privacy by requiring consent and due process.”

Companies monitor the extent to which their employees use the company’s AI tools in their daily work. CNBC reported in May “Almost every Fortune 500 company tracks public use of AI” to determine whether workers are using it effectively and maximizing its potential.