Former Facebook Policy Chief Files Lawsuit Against Meta
A former policy chief at Facebook, Sarah Wynn Williams, has initiated legal action against Meta, challenging an arbitration order that has prevented her from discussing her controversial memoir for over a year.
In a lawsuit submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Williams asserts that Meta employed an invalid arbitration agreement to impose a $50,000 fine for each breach of a gag order related to her memoir, which, by the way, includes book sales.
Her memoir, titled “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism,” gained recognition as a #1 New York Times bestseller. In it, she alleges that Facebook leaders, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, were allegedly willing to exchange user data with the Chinese Communist Party in return for entry into the Chinese market.
Williams also accused her former superiors of inappropriate behavior, claiming that Joel Kaplan, who serves as Meta’s president of international affairs, made a derogatory remark about her at a work event.
She noted that Sheryl Sandberg, the former chief operating officer, reportedly spent $13,000 on lingerie for herself and an assistant during a European trip and suggested that Williams share a bed with her on a private jet home.
A spokesperson for Meta remarked that this former employee is trying to leverage the legal system to promote her book. They mentioned that an arbitrator ruled Williams had violated a contract she agreed to when she received a substantial severance package.
According to Meta, Williams was terminated in 2017 after an internal investigation found that she had made unfounded allegations against coworkers. The company stated that their probe into Kaplan did not uncover any misconduct.
Zuckerberg has indicated that the company is currently not operating in China because they struggle to agree on what it takes to do business there.
A representative for Sandberg chose not to comment on the situation.
Shortly after the publication of Williams’ book, an arbitrator mandated that McMillan, her publisher, refrain from making any harmful or derogatory comments about Facebook and its personnel.
Williams is now aiming to have the arbitration order dismissed, void her severance agreement with Meta, and seek compensation for lost book sales and speaking engagements.
Interestingly, it seems Williams has found a way to minimize her public appearances. At the Hay Festival in May, she served as a panelist on digital technology and public policy but, on her lawyer’s suggestion, opted to remain silent throughout the event.
Following her presence at the Hay Festival, reports indicate that sales of “Careless People” surged over 300% in the UK.
It’s noted that a representative from Meta attended the festival, and it’s alleged that they requested the arbitrator to impose sanctions on Williams for her attendance.
After her dismissal from Meta, Williams signed a severance agreement that included a non-discrimination clause and a mandatory arbitration requirement.
She also claimed that Meta covered $300,000 in business-related expenses for Zuckerberg, contingent on his signing the agreement, although some of those fees were later reimbursed.
Additionally, the company reportedly made her sign a severance agreement to ensure she could maintain health insurance for her and her children, given a serious health issue she faced during childbirth.
A year later, Facebook announced it would stop compelling employees to arbitrate sexual harassment claims, and California instituted a ban on separation agreements that prevent disclosure of unlawful employment practices.
In a statement for their 2022 proxy, Meta’s board noted they do not require non-discrimination clauses that restrict employees from discussing workplace issues.
Having anticipated this change in policy might allow her greater freedom to speak out, Williams filed a whistleblower complaint with both the SEC and the Department of Justice before deciding to publish her book.
