Lawsuit Details
Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former director of global public policy at Facebook (now Meta Platforms Inc.) from 2011 until her termination in 2017, has filed a lawsuit against Meta in federal court in Northern California on Thursday.
The lawsuit challenges a private arbitration order that she claims bars her from speaking about the company or promoting her book, "Careless People."
It also argues that the severance agreement she signed, which includes a non-disparagement clause, was executed under duress.
Claims and Counterclaims
Wynn-Williams' book alleges misconduct by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives, including efforts to gain favor with Chinese officials.
Meta has stated that Wynn-Williams violated her agreement and that her book contains inaccuracies. According to the lawsuit, Meta seeks $50,000 in damages for each purported violation of the non-disparagement agreement.
Wynn-Williams requests that the court lift the arbitration order and vacate the severance agreement.
Meta's Response
Meta released a statement asserting that the former employee is using legal process to sell books, and that an arbitrator already ruled she broke the agreement.
Meta described the book as "divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims."
Alleged Monitoring
The lawsuit claims Meta obtained an emergency gag order and has surveilled Wynn-Williams, including sending representatives to photograph her at public events, to document her compliance with the order.
Meta reportedly objected to her attendance at an arts festival where she was on a panel but remained silent because other panelists criticized the company.