Meta is deploying new tracking software called Model Capability Initiative (MCI) to capture U.S. employees' mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for training its artificial intelligence models. The tool will run on work-related applications and occasionally take screenshots of employee screens, according to internal memos seen by Reuters. The initiative is part of Meta's broader effort to build AI agents that can autonomously perform work tasks.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth told employees the company would increase internal data collection as part of its 'AI for Work' efforts, now rebranded as Agent Transformation Accelerator (ATA). The company plans to lay off 10% of its global workforce starting May 20 while pushing employees to use AI agents for coding and other tasks. Meta has also created a new Applied AI engineering team focused on improving its models' coding capabilities.

Legal experts warn the surveillance raises significant privacy concerns. While U.S. federal law places no limits on worker surveillance, European regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation would likely prohibit such monitoring. Meta says the data will only be used for model training, not performance reviews, and that safeguards are in place to protect sensitive content.