Meta will record employees’ keystrokes and use it to train its AI models
Summarize this article with:
In Brief Posted: 4:45 PM PDT · April 21, 2026 Image Credits:Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg (opens in a new window) / Getty Images Lucas Ropek Meta will record employees’ keystrokes and use it to train its AI models Meta has found a new source of training data for its AI models: its own employees. The company plans to use data culled from the mouse movements and keystrokes of its own staff in its pursuit to build more capable and efficient artificial intelligence. The story, which was first reported by Reuters, shows the lengths to which tech companies are going to find new sources of training data — the lifeblood of AI models that helps the programs learn how to more effectively carry out tasks and respond to user queries. When reached for comment by TechCrunch, a Meta spokesperson provided the following statement: “If we’re building agents to help people complete everyday tasks using computers, our models need real examples of how people actually use them — things like mouse movements, clicking buttons, and navigating dropdown menus. To help, we’re launching an internal tool that will capture these kinds of inputs on certain applications to help us train our models. There are safeguards in place to protect sensitive content, and the data is not used for any other purpose.” This trend would seem to reveal the troublesome privacy implications of the AI industry, as yesterday’s internal corporate communications are increasingly becoming fodder for a new corporate supply chain. Last week it was reported that old startups were being scavenged for their corporate communications (from Slack archives, Jira tickets and other internal messaging platforms), which could be converted into AI fuel. Topics AI, AI, Meta, Slack April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.
Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. Related AI Unauthorized group has gained access to Anthropic’s exclusive cyber tool Mythos, report claims Lucas Ropek 1 hour ago AI Bond, a new social media platform, wants to use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit Lucas Ropek 9 hours ago AI It’s not just one thing — it’s another thing Amanda Silberling 1 day ago Latest in AI In Brief Meta will record employees’ keystrokes and use it to train its AI models Lucas Ropek 1 hour ago AI Unauthorized group has gained access to Anthropic’s exclusive cyber tool Mythos, report claims Lucas Ropek 1 hour ago AI SpaceX is working with Cursor and has an option to buy the startup for $60 billion Tim Fernholz 2 hours ago