Meta has emerged victorious in a legal battle against former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams, who recently published a memoir critical of her time at the company. An arbitrator has ruled that Wynn-Williams may have violated a non-disparagement agreement she signed when leaving the company, temporarily prohibiting her from promoting or publishing her book until private arbitration concludes.
Despite this ruling, “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism” remains available for purchase and appears to be benefiting from the “Streisand Effect,” a phenomenon where attempts to suppress information only serve to further publicize it. The book has become Amazon’s number three bestselling title.
Publisher Macmillan stated that the arbitrator’s decision has no impact on its support for the book, and it will continue to promote it. The company expressed “appalling” tactics by Meta in trying to silence Wynn-Williams through a non-disparagement clause.
Wynn-Williams’ memoir offers a critical look at Facebook, particularly its relationship with China and other governments. She had worked as director of global public policy before leaving the company in 2017. The book has received praise from some, but also criticism from current and former employees who claim it contains lies and exaggerations.
Meta described Wynn-Williams’ allegations as “out-of-date and previously reported claims about Meta” and stated that she was an employee terminated for poor performance. The company also disputed her claims of harassment and said whistleblower status does not protect communications to private companies like Meta.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/16/meta-takes-aim-at-ex-employees-memoir-careless-people