Dozens of Facebook contractors have lost their jobs after an algorithm allegedly picked them 'at random'

A company under contract with Meta recently told dozens of its employees that their jobs for Facebook "will soon be taken away from them", according to a new report from Insider. The cuts affect about 60 employees of Accenture, a company that oversees teams of Facebook moderators and other contractors.

The reasons for the cuts are unclear as workers have not received an explanation for the changes. According to Insider, the workers were made aware of the news in a hastily scheduled video call in which anonymous Accenture representatives told the contractors that they had been selected "at random " via an algorithm.

Facebook declined to comment Insider and a representative for Accenture denied that any "layoff actions" had taken place. Affected workers were reportedly informed that they could reapply and interview for new positions within the company.

The cuts come as Meta faces unprecedented challenges to its business amid an economic downturn and blows to its advertising business. The company, which recently announced a drop in revenue for the first time in its history after losing billions of dollars in its virtual reality division, has already drastically reduced its hiring plans and told managers to eliminate employees. less efficient. The company also cut some of its extravagant perks for its employees, like on-site laundry service, earlier this year. Meta employees are reportedly concerned that the company will cut its workforce by up to 10%, although the company has so far denied plans to carry out mass layoffs.

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