A former WhatsApp government has filed a lawsuit towards Meta, alleging the corporate ignored critical safety flaws that put billions of customers in danger. The case, lodged within the US District Courtroom for the Northern District of California, was introduced by Attaullah Baig, who served as WhatsApp’s head of safety from 2021 till earlier this yr.
Baig alleges that 1000’s of Meta and WhatsApp workers might entry delicate person knowledge — together with profile photos, contact lists, and site particulars — with out correct oversight. He additionally claims the corporate turned a blind eye to large-scale account hacking, which he says reached greater than 100,000 accounts a day.
In keeping with the criticism, Baig repeatedly warned senior leaders, together with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in regards to the dangers. As a substitute of addressing his issues, the corporate allegedly retaliated by issuing unfavorable efficiency evaluations and finally fired him in February.
Baig argues that the corporate’s actions violated a 2019 privateness settlement with the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) that required Meta to strengthen person protections following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
“There are simply so many harms that the customers face,” Baig informed The New York Instances. “That is about holding Meta accountable and placing the pursuits of customers first.”
Meta pushes again
Meta strongly disputes Baig’s claims. “Sadly, it is a acquainted playbook wherein a former worker is dismissed for poor efficiency after which goes public with distorted claims that misrepresent the continuing arduous work of our crew,” Carl Woog, WhatsApp’s vice chairman of worldwide communications, mentioned in a press release cited by The New York Instances.
Meta additionally famous that the Occupational Security and Well being Administration (OSHA) dismissed Baig’s preliminary retaliation criticism earlier this yr.
Baig’s case provides to a rising record of whistleblower challenges towards Meta, whose platforms embrace Fb, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Over the previous few years, the corporate has confronted fines and investigations in each the US and Europe for its dealing with of person knowledge and privateness practices.
In 2019, Meta paid a report $5 billion penalty to the FTC to settle privacy-related fees. Since then, regulators have continued to watch its platforms, together with WhatsApp, which is now utilized by greater than three billion individuals worldwide.
Baig, who beforehand labored in cybersecurity at PayPal and Capital One, says his aim isn’t solely compensation but in addition regulatory enforcement. He claims that Meta’s failures proceed to place customers in danger and believes stronger accountability is required.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, again pay, damages, and additional regulatory motion towards Meta. Whereas the case continues to be in its early phases, it has already renewed scrutiny over how one of many world’s largest tech firms handles private knowledge and protects its customers.
