Meta is scaling back a controversial AI training initiative that would have tracked employee computer activity to help train the company’s AI models, following weeks of internal criticism and privacy concerns.
According to an internal memo reported by Reuters, Meta has introduced new controls that allow employees to pause data collection for up to 30 minutes at a time and request exemptions from the program altogether. The changes come after workers raised concerns about privacy, device performance, and the broader role of AI inside the company.
The monitoring system, known internally as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), was announced in April as part of Meta’s effort to gather real-world examples of how people interact with computers. The company argued that such data would help train AI agents capable of performing tasks on behalf of users.
At the time, Meta said the system would record employee keystrokes and mouse activity solely for AI training purposes and that safeguards were in place to protect sensitive information. However, many employees viewed the initiative as overly intrusive.
Growing Employee Resistance
The program quickly sparked internal opposition. Some employees reportedly described the initiative as “dystopian,” while others expressed concern that Meta was expanding AI-related initiatives while simultaneously reducing headcount across the company.
A petition opposing the monitoring program reportedly attracted more than 1,500 signatures from employees. Critics argued that the company was collecting increasingly detailed workplace data at a time when many workers were already worried about job security and the growing role of automation.
Meta has laid off roughly 2,000 employees this year and previously announced plans to reduce its workforce by around 10%, affecting approximately 8,000 workers.
More Control for Employees
In the memo, reportedly authored by Meta Superintelligence Labs Vice President Stephane Kasriel, the company acknowledged employee concerns and outlined several adjustments to the initiative.
Beyond adding pause and exemption options, Meta said it has optimized the software to reduce its impact on laptop battery life and network usage. Some employees had reportedly complained that the tool consumed significant bandwidth while running, particularly for those working remotely.
Kasriel wrote that while the company remained confident in the privacy protections built into the program, it had listened to employee feedback regarding personal data, device performance, and the desire for greater control over when activity monitoring occurs.
