A former Meta executive is suing the company, alleging that it is attempting to "silence" her and that the severance agreement she signed upon her departure was done under duress. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Northern California, claims that Meta Platforms Inc.'s private arbitration order, which bars her from discussing the company or promoting her memoir, "Careless People," is invalid.
Sarah Wynn-Williams, who served as director of global public policy at Facebook (now Meta) from 2011 to 2017, details alleged disturbing behavior by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives in her book. The memoir also reportedly describes Zuckerberg's alleged efforts to gain favor with Chinese officials. Meta has disputed these claims, stating that Wynn-Williams violated her agreement and that her book contains inaccuracies.
The lawsuit states that Meta is seeking $50,000 in damages for each alleged violation of a non-disparagement agreement, which Wynn-Williams claims puts her under financial duress. She is requesting the court to lift the arbitration order and vacate her severance agreement with the company.
A Meta spokesperson stated that the former employee is "trying to use the legal process to sell books, which an arbitrator already ruled broke the agreement she signed with the company when she accepted a large severance payment years ago. Her book is divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims."
According to the lawsuit, Meta obtained an emergency gag order that prohibits Wynn-Williams and her legal team from criticizing the company or promoting her book. The lawsuit asserts that over the past year, Meta has surveilled her, with company representatives attending her public appearances and photographing her, allegedly to document that she said nothing about Meta or her book at these events. The suit also notes that Meta took issue with Wynn-Williams attending an arts and literary festival in the U.K. where she participated in a panel discussion but remained silent because other panelists were critics of the company.
The lawsuit contends that Meta is pursuing Wynn-Williams "at the expense of free speech and legal constraints not only because she refused to bow to the greed and power of Meta, Mr. Zuckerberg, and other executives, but also to strike fear into the heart of anyone else who dares to consider speaking the truth about Meta’s unlawful and abusive practices in the public interest."