Algorithmic Targeting Alleged in Federal Lawsuit
A group of 26 current and former Meta employees has filed a federal lawsuit in California. The complaint alleges the company used artificial intelligence-driven performance metrics to unfairly target workers on protected medical or family leave for layoffs. Plaintiffs claim the algorithmic selection process ignored legally protected absences, effectively penalizing staff for exercising their rights. Meta has denied the allegations, stating that workforce decisions are managed by people rather than automated systems.
The “Second Brain” and Keystroke Surveillance
The filing contends that Meta’s internal AI systems—which track performance rankings and employee activity—failed to exclude individuals on medical, pregnancy, or family leave. This oversight reportedly resulted in a disproportionate number of employees on leave being selected for termination during the 2023 workforce reductions.
According to the lawsuit, Meta monitored employee keystrokes and activity to inform performance evaluations. The complaint further describes a system where employees were required to train a personal AI agent, referred to as a “second brain.” The lawsuit claims some senior leaders forced staff to train these agents before taking maternity or medical leave, allegedly allowing Meta to continue extracting the employee’s output while they were absent.
Meta Defends Human-Led Restructuring
A Meta spokesperson stated that the claims lack merit and are not based on facts. The company maintains that its organizational and workforce management decisions are human-led.
During the 2023 layoffs, Meta reduced its global headcount by approximately 10%, or nearly 8,000 employees. The company cited a need to offset costs associated with its aggressive pivot toward artificial intelligence infrastructure as a primary driver for the restructuring.
Demands for Audit and Accountability
The plaintiffs argue that financial compensation cannot remedy the harm caused by these terminations, as the layoffs undermined the fundamental purpose of protected leave: providing time for employees to heal or care for family members. The workers are seeking a court order to prevent further adverse actions regarding their compensation and benefits. Furthermore, they are calling for an independent audit of the algorithmic selection process used during the layoffs.
Tech Sector Layoffs and Legal Precedent
This litigation emerges against a backdrop of widespread job cuts across the technology industry. As companies increasingly integrate AI into operational workflows, the case against Meta represents a test for how federal and state labor laws apply to automated management tools.
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