Former Facebook executive turned whistle-blower Sarah Wynn-Williams says Meta is preventing her from speaking to lawmakers about her experiences at the company following the release of her memoir Careless People. Meta filed for emergency arbitration the day her book was published, claiming it violated a non-disparagement agreement she signed upon leaving.
An arbitrator then temporarily barred her from promoting the book or making any critical remarks about Meta. As a result, Wynn-Williams says she cannot respond to requests from US, UK, and the EU lawmakers who want to speak with her about serious public interest issues raised in her memoir.
These include Meta’s alleged ties with the Chinese government and the platform’s impact on teenage girls. Her lawyers argue the arbitration order unfairly blocks her from contributing to ongoing investigations and legislative inquiries.
Meta maintains it does not intend to interfere with Wynn-Williams’ legal rights and insists the claims in her book are outdated or false. The company also points out that she can still file complaints with government agencies.
Wynn-Williams has filed whistle-blower complaints with the SEC and the Department of Justice. Her memoir, which describes internal controversies at Meta — including sexual harassment claims and the company’s ambitions in China — debuted on the New York Times best-seller list.
Despite Meta’s legal pushback, her legal team argues that silencing her voice is a disservice to the public and lawmakers working to address the social media giant’s influence and accountability.
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