Meta Wins Ruling to Silence Ex-director from Promoting Critical Memoir

Meta has secured a temporary ruling in the US to stop Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook director, from promoting or distributing her memoir, “Careless People”, which contains critical claims about the company.

The book, released in the US on Tuesday and in the UK on Thursday, is Wynn-Williams’ account of her seven years at Facebook, where she served as global public policy director.

Meta disputes the allegations, including claims that executives worked with the Chinese government to censor content.

Meta’s spokesperson, Andy Stone, stated, “This ruling affirms that Sarah Wynn-Williams’ false and defamatory book should never have been published.”

The emergency ruling, issued by arbitrator Nicholas Gowen, orders Wynn-Williams to stop promotions “to the extent within her control” and retract previous disparaging comments. The ruling does not require the book’s publisher, Flatiron Books, or its parent company, Macmillan, to take any action.

Macmillan expressed its commitment to upholding freedom of speech, stating, “As publishers, we are committed to upholding freedom of speech and her right to tell her story. Due to legal process instituted by Meta, the author has been prevented from continuing to participate in the book’s publicity.”

Wynn-Williams has also filed a whistleblower complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alleging Meta misled investors, which Meta denies.

The temporary ruling will remain in effect unless modified or lifted following a full hearing.