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Meta has faced a legal setback in its attempt to suppress a memoir written by former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams.

The book, "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism," details Wynn-Williams' time at Facebook (now Meta), where she worked from 2011 to 2017, TheStar said.

It includes scandalous claims about the company, including allegations of sexual harassment and its efforts to break into the Chinese market.

On Friday, an arbitrator temporarily prohibited Wynn-Williams from promoting her memoir, citing a non-disparagement agreement she had signed when leaving the company.

Meta argued that Wynn-Williams violated this agreement by publishing a book filled with critical statements.

The ruling also required her to stop distributing the book until further private arbitration takes place.

However, despite the legal move, "Careless People" remains available for purchase, and its sales have surged as a result, with the book climbing to number three on Amazon.

Meta has been accused of attempting to silence the author through a legal tactic, but Macmillan, the book's publisher, has expressed strong opposition to the company's actions.

In a statement, Macmillan expressed disappointment over Meta's attempt to stop the book's promotion. "We are appalled by Meta's tactics," the publisher said, adding that it would continue to support Wynn-Williams and promote the book.

The publisher also made it clear that the arbitrator's order did not address the truthfulness of the book's claims but focused solely on the promotion of the book.

Meta Denies Allegations in New Memoir, Calls Claims "Misleading"

In "Careless People," Wynn-Williams recounts troubling experiences at Meta, including sexual harassment by Joel Kaplan, the company's vice president of global public policy.

She also describes the company's efforts to appease the Chinese government in exchange for access to the lucrative Chinese market.

According to TechCrunch, Wynn-Williams alleges that Facebook explored options like appointing a "chief editor" to censor content for Chinese authorities. While Meta acknowledges past interest in China, it denies ever taking such actions.

Meta quickly issued a response, calling the book a mix of outdated and false claims. The company emphasized that Wynn-Williams was fired for poor performance and labeled the memoir as "misleading."

Meta also reiterated its stance that it does not operate in China, a point which had previously been publicly reported.

Despite the ongoing legal dispute, the public's interest in the book has only grown. The "Streisand Effect," where efforts to suppress content result in more attention, seems to be playing out as "Careless People" gains popularity.

With both the legal battle and growing sales, Wynn-Williams' memoir has captured the attention of both supporters and critics of Meta, highlighting the tensions within the tech giant.

For now, "Careless People" continues to provide a controversial and eye-opening glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world's most influential companies.

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