Meta secured a legal victory against former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams, temporarily preventing her from promoting her controversial memoir, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. An arbitrator ruled that Wynn-Williams may have violated a non-disparagement agreement she signed upon leaving the company in 2017. The ruling prohibits her from further promoting or, where possible, distributing the book until private arbitration is complete.
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Despite this setback, Careless People remains widely available and has surged in popularity. The book was the third best-selling title on Amazon as of Sunday, likely benefiting from the “Streisand effect,” in which attempts to suppress information only serve to amplify public interest.
Publisher Rejects Meta’s Actions
Macmillan, which published Careless People through its imprint Flatiron Books, has strongly condemned Meta’s legal maneuvering. In a statement, the publisher asserted that the ruling “has no impact” on its ability to sell and promote the book. It criticized Meta’s use of a non-disparagement clause to silence the author and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the memoir. “To be clear, the arbitrator’s order makes no reference to the claims within Careless People,” Macmillan said. “The book went through a thorough editing and vetting process, and we remain committed to publishing important books such as this.”
Shocking Allegations Against Meta
Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook (now Meta) from 2011 to 2017, offers what The New York Times described as a “darkly funny and genuinely shocking” account of the company’s inner workings. The book details Facebook’s efforts to break into the Chinese market, allegations of workplace harassment, and what she characterizes as a toxic corporate culture.
Among the most striking claims is that, in 2015, Facebook devised a plan to install a “chief editor” who could censor content or shut down the platform in China at the behest of the ruling Communist Party. Wynn-Williams has also reportedly filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the company’s dealings with China.
The memoir also accuses Joel Kaplan, Meta’s vice president of global public policy and a prominent Republican figure, of inappropriate behavior. Wynn-Williams claims that Kaplan made sexual remarks about her, referred to her as “sultry,” and engaged in inappropriate physical conduct at a work event. Meta denies these allegations, stating that they were investigated and found to be “misleading and unfounded.”
Meta’s Response: Denials and Counterclaims
Meta has dismissed Careless People as “a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims” as well as “false accusations” against its executives. The company has also attacked Wynn-Williams personally, stating she was fired for “poor performance” eight years ago.
Addressing the China controversy, a Meta spokesperson claimed the company abandoned plans to operate in China years ago. “We do not operate our services in China today. It is no secret we were once interested in doing so as part of Facebook’s effort to connect the world. This was widely reported beginning a decade ago,” the spokesperson said.
Regarding the book’s claims of sexual harassment, the company stated that the accusations were “misleading” and accused Wynn-Williams of being a “disgruntled activist trying to sell books.”
Former Employees Speak Out
Wynn-Williams has faced criticism not just from Meta but also from former colleagues. Ex-staffer Mike Rognlien, who worked closely with her, claimed the book is filled with falsehoods. “It has so many lies in it I wouldn’t even know where to start,” he said.
Wynn-Williams, however, maintains that Meta is using these counterclaims as a distraction. In a recent interview with Business Insider, she stated, “I think Meta’s problem is using this to not answer the questions themselves. What I would love is for us not to fall into the distraction.”
Legal Battle Continues
Meta has been quick to act against Careless People, taking Wynn-Williams to arbitration shortly after its release. The American Arbitration Association ruled in Meta’s favor, stating that the company would suffer “immediate and irreparable loss” without emergency relief.
However, the ruling did not place any restrictions on Macmillan, which remains free to distribute the book. A spokesperson for Pan Macmillan, the UK division of the publisher, reaffirmed its stance, stating, “As publishers, we are committed to upholding freedom of speech and her right to tell her story. Due to legal process instituted by Meta, the author has been prevented from continuing to participate in the book’s publicity.”
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For now, Wynn-Williams is barred from promoting her memoir, but the controversy surrounding Careless People has only fueled interest in its revelations. Whether Meta’s legal strategy will ultimately silence its former employee—or backfire—is yet to be seen.