Meta · BBC Technology
Meta in row after workers who say they saw smart glasses users having sex lose jobs
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Meta is under pressure to explain why it cancelled a major contract with a company it was using to train AI, shortly after some of its Kenya-based workers alleged they had to view graphic content captured by Meta smart glasses.
Key facts
- Shortly after the Swedish investigation, the UK data watchdog, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) wrote to Meta about what it called a "concerning" report
- Less than two months later, Meta ended its contract with Sama, which Sama said would result in 1,108 workers being made redundant
- The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Kenya also announced it was commencing an investigation into privacy concerns raised by the glasses
- In September Meta unveiled a range of AI-powered glasses in partnership with brands Ray-Ban and Oakley
Summary
In February, workers at the company, Sama, told two Swedish newspapers they had witnessed glasses users going to the toilet, and having sex. Less than two months later, Meta ended its contract with Sama, which Sama said would result in 1,108 workers being made redundant. Meta says it's because Sama did not meet its standards, a criticism Sama rejects. Meta has not addressed that allegation but told BBC News it had "decided to end our work with Sama because they don't meet our standards".