Meta employees in the United States are reportedly protesting against a newly proposed mouse-tracking software that would monitor activity on work devices, raising fresh concerns over workplace surveillance and employee privacy.
According to a Reuters report, employees have been distributing flyers across multiple US offices, including meeting rooms, vending machine areas, and even restroom spaces, urging colleagues to sign an online petition opposing the monitoring system. The flyers describe the initiative as an “Employee Data Extraction Factory,” reflecting growing unease among staff about being continuously tracked and treated as data sources.
The backlash comes amid broader concerns within Meta, as the company is also planning to reduce nearly 10% of its US workforce, affecting around 8,000 employees. Workers reportedly fear that increased monitoring tools could eventually contribute to automation, potentially replacing human roles in the long term.
Meta has previously defended its mouse-tracking initiative, stating that it is intended to help build more advanced AI systems. Company spokesperson Andy Stone told Reuters that developing AI agents capable of assisting users with everyday computer tasks requires real-world behavioural data, such as mouse movements, clicks, and navigation patterns.
Meanwhile, employee activism around workplace conditions is also gaining momentum. In the UK, some Meta workers have reportedly formed a labour union with support from the United Tech and Allied Workers (UTAW), which is affiliated with the Communication Workers Union.
Labour organiser Eleanor Payne has criticised the company’s recent changes, arguing that employees are facing job cuts, increased surveillance, and uncertainty about whether their work is being used to train AI systems that could eventually replace parts of their roles.
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