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Meta Fires Employees for Misuse of Meal Allowances on Personal Purchases

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Meta has terminated around two dozen employees from its Los Angeles office for allegedly misusing company-provided meal credits, purchasing items such as acne treatment pads, wine glasses, and laundry detergent, according to a source familiar with the matter. The tech giant confirmed these dismissals after conducting an internal investigation, revealing that some employees used meal vouchers for personal items instead of food. Additionally, some workers reportedly had meals delivered to their homes rather than to the office, violating company policy.

Meta, known for its elaborate in-office dining services at its larger offices, offers meal vouchers to employees working in smaller locations without on-site food services. These credits—$20 for breakfast and $25 for both lunch and dinner—are intended to support staff working long hours at the office by covering meal costs. However, the investigation discovered that certain LA-based employees used the credits for non-food-related purchases or for meals consumed outside of work.

This news comes amid ongoing restructuring efforts at Meta. A Meta spokesperson, Tracy Clayton, acknowledged that the company has been making various organizational changes to align resources with long-term strategic goals. These changes have resulted in shifting some teams to different locations, reallocating employees to different roles, and eliminating positions when necessary. Meta did not disclose the total number of employees affected by these recent layoffs, which spanned across its divisions, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Reality Labs.

One of the more prominent individuals let go was Jane Manchun Wong, a well-known security researcher who had predicted upcoming social media features before joining Meta in June 2023 to work on Instagram and Threads. Wong’s layoff highlights the broader impact of Meta’s restructuring efforts, which follow the company’s more extensive layoffs last year.

In 2022, Meta laid off over 20,000 employees in multiple rounds of cuts, as part of an effort to reverse a period of revenue declines and stagnating user growth. CEO Mark Zuckerberg dubbed it the company’s “year of efficiency.” The company’s shares (META) have rebounded significantly, rising nearly 80% since last year.

 

Misinformation on Facebook Alarms Officials as 2024 Elections Near

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Election officials across the U.S. are increasingly concerned about the spread of misinformation on Facebook as the country heads into the critical 2024 presidential election. In Durham County, North Carolina, Derek Bowens, the director of elections, faced a crisis when viral posts falsely claimed that voters should request new ballots if a poll worker writes on them, rendering the ballots invalid. This misinformation, which also spread during the 2020 election, has resurfaced without fact-checking labels on Facebook.

Despite previous efforts to flag such content, Bowens and other officials have seen a lack of timely intervention from Meta, Facebook’s parent company. The North Carolina State Board of Elections had to issue a press release to counter the misinformation. However, many false posts continue to circulate in North Carolina and other states like Mississippi and New Jersey without warnings or corrections. Meta stated that it has sent flagged content to third-party fact-checkers, but election officials are still frustrated by the platform’s insufficient efforts to prevent the spread of false information.

Across the nation, with just 40 days until the November 5 elections, election officials are worried about how misinformation might disrupt the voting process. While Facebook scaled back the promotion of political content on its platform after the 2020 election, misleading posts still spread quickly, often outpacing official responses. Bowens and his colleagues, as well as officials in swing states like Arizona and Wisconsin, are finding it increasingly difficult to use social media effectively to provide accurate information.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, communication director Taylor Kinnerup noted that false claims about voter fraud from 2020 still plague the county’s social media feeds. Despite efforts to increase transparency and communication, Kinnerup’s team struggles with Meta’s limited engagement and unresponsive support systems. Many local election offices are also dealing with technical issues when using Meta’s apps, such as unlinked Facebook and Instagram accounts that prevent simultaneous posts.

Meta, which has cut back its trust and safety teams during multiple rounds of layoffs since 2021, continues to promote its integrity efforts and partnerships with fact-checking groups worldwide. However, state and local officials like Bowens and Kinnerup report little direct communication or assistance from Meta in addressing election misinformation.

Officials warn that the risks go beyond the presidential race, with down-ballot races also vulnerable to interference, as regional and local election systems often have less protection. Congressional representatives, including Sen. Susan Collins, have expressed concerns about foreign actors targeting these races with disinformation.

As the November elections approach, election officials across the country are working overtime to combat the spread of misinformation, but many feel under-supported by tech companies like Meta. With election integrity at stake, they urge greater collaboration and proactive measures to prevent further disruptions.