Legal Victory and Non-Disparagement Agreement

This week, Meta secured a legal win against former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams regarding her memoir titled “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism.” An arbitrator has ruled in favor of Meta, indicating that Wynn-Williams potentially violated a non-disparagement clause she signed upon her departure from the company. As a result, she is temporarily barred from promoting or publishing her book until the arbitration process concludes.

The Impact of the Ruling

Despite the ruling, “Careless People” remains available for purchase and has seen increased visibility, potentially benefiting from the “Streisand Effect,” where efforts to suppress information inadvertently draw more attention to it. As of Sunday afternoon, the book ranked as the number three bestselling title on Amazon.

Publisher’s Response

Flatiron Books, a Macmillan imprint, which published “Careless People,” issued a statement asserting that the arbitrator’s decision does not impact their commitment to the book. The publisher expressed disapproval of what they described as Meta’s attempts to silence Wynn-Williams through the non-disparagement clause. They emphasized that “the book went through a thorough editing and vetting process” and reaffirmed their dedication to publishing significant works.

Contents and Themes of the Memoir

“Careless People” provides an intriguing, unsettling glimpse into the inner workings of Facebook, particularly its engagement with global politics. A review by the New York Times described it as “darkly funny and genuinely shocking.” Wynn-Williams, who served as Director of Global Public Policy during her six years with Facebook, reflects on her experience, stating, “I was there for seven years, and if I had to sum it up in a sentence, I’d say that it started as a hopeful comedy and ended in darkness and regret.”

Whistleblower Allegations and Corporate Response

Wynn-Williams has also made headlines for filing a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This complaint alleges that Facebook, in pursuit of operations in China, explored plans to appoint a “chief editor” for content censorship in alignment with the Chinese government.

A spokesperson for Meta characterized “Careless People” as containing “out-of-date and previously reported claims,” pointing out that Wynn-Williams was terminated in 2017 due to performance issues. The spokesperson elaborated that operational services do not exist in China currently, and previous explorations of this market were widely known.

Reactions from Former Employees

The memoir has garnered mixed reviews from current and past employees. Former employee Mike Rognlien criticized the book as filled with inaccuracies, stating, “it has so many lies in it I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Meanwhile, Wynn-Williams has downplayed these criticisms, suggesting they serve as distractions from the core issues addressed in her memoir.

Conclusion

The developments surrounding “Careless People” not only spotlight the contentious nature of non-disparagement agreements but also underscore the complexities of corporate transparency and accountability. As the arbitration process unfolds, it remains to be seen how these legal proceedings will affect Wynn-Williams’ narrative and the broader conversation on corporate conduct in the digital age.