Meta will let employees stop being tracked, for 30 minutes at a time

Meta has announced that employees will now have the option to stop being tracked for 30 minutes at a time, following significant backlash against its previous policy of continuous monitoring through software that captures keystrokes and mouse activity. This decision comes after more than 1,500 employees signed a petition expressing their concerns about workplace surveillance and privacy.

The move to allow temporary breaks from tracking is a response to growing employee unrest and criticism regarding privacy violations, particularly as the company transitions towards an AI-first model under CTO Andrew Bosworth.

This development highlights a broader conversation about employee surveillance in tech companies, as workers increasingly voice their concerns over privacy and ethical practices, especially in light of Meta's recent restructuring efforts that involve significant layoffs and reallocations towards AI initiatives.