Meta Scores Legal Win Against Ex-Executive’s Memoir ‘Careless People’
Meta has secured an early legal victory in its bid to block the distribution of Careless People, a controversial new memoir by former Facebook policy executive Sarah Wynn-Williams. The book, which went on sale earlier this week, has now been temporarily halted following an arbitrator’s ruling in Meta’s favor.
A Controversial Tell-All
Wynn-Williams’ memoir provides an insider’s account of Facebook’s internal struggles, including:
- Mark Zuckerberg’s failed efforts to enter the Chinese market
- Alleged inappropriate conduct by Meta’s policy chief, Joel Kaplan
- Awkward encounters between Zuckerberg and world leaders
The book paints a revealing picture of Facebook’s leadership during a critical phase in the company’s history.
Read More: Meta Announces Major Restructuring 3,600 Employees Face Job Cuts
Meta’s Legal Response
Meta argues that Wynn-Williams violated a non-disparagement agreement signed when she left the company in 2017. In response, the company:
- Launched a public relations campaign, dismissing the memoir as a “new book of old news”
- Filed an emergency arbitration request to halt its distribution
On Thursday, the arbitrator ruled in Meta’s favor, ordering Wynn-Williams to:
– Cease all promotional activities
– Discontinue book distribution
– Refrain from making further disparaging remarks about the company
While the book is already available for purchase, its long-term availability remains uncertain, as it could be pulled from shelves.
Meta’s Reaction
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone welcomed the ruling, stating:
“This ruling affirms that Sarah Wynn-Williams’ false and defamatory book should never have been published… She avoided standard fact-checking and rushed it to publication after years of silence.”
Meanwhile, Flatiron Books, the publisher of Careless People, has not yet commented on the ruling.
The legal battle over the book’s fate is far from over, with further challenges and appeals likely in the coming weeks.
