Meta has dismissed or disciplined over two dozen workers and contractors over the last year on suspicion of inappropriately taking over user accounts, in some instances reportedly for bribes.
This is according to records seen by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and interviews with persons familiar with the situation.
The Scheme via "Oops"
Documents and interviews with persons involved have revealed that some of them let go were contractors who served as security guards at Meta premises.
These people were granted access to the Facebook parent company's internal mechanism for staff to aid individuals experiencing difficulties with their accounts.
The "Oops" system, which stands for "Online Operations," has existed since Facebook's early years. This allows workers to assist their friends and families who have lost access to their accounts due to forgotten passwords and emails or hacking.
Employees allegedly took thousands of dollars in payments from outside hackers to access user accounts as evidence of the system's misuse.
According to WSJ's sources, the disciplinary measures are part of a long-running internal investigation headed by Meta officials.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone realized that these people offering fraudulent services go after internet platforms constantly, including Meta-owned ones. Apparently, they are altering their strategies in response to the frequently used detection systems throughout the sector.
In his words, the firm "will keep taking appropriate action against those involved in these kinds of schemes."
When asked how the company treats allegations of breaches like this, a spokesperson for Meta's security firm, Allied Universal, responded that it "takes seriously all reports of violations of our standards of conduct."
Poor Customer Service
With over 3 billion users across its platforms, Meta has a massive and complex problem on its hands, which could be one of the factors why the company has been firing people and taking disciplinary action.
Notably, the firm has virtually no customer service, but on the contrary, this is the function the company said it is committed to building out over the coming years, said WSJ.
Many customers have complained that their attempts to contact Meta through phone or email when they are locked out of their accounts have been futile.
As a final resort, some of them use the Oops channel to persuade Meta staff and contractors to fill out a form.
The Oops system was originally intended to be used only among close associates, such as friends, family, business partners, and public figures. However, its use has increased as the workforce has grown.
An Oops report requires the employee to provide the new email address the users would like to link to their Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Continuity of Investigation
WSJ reported that Meta is also probing former employees for allegedly conspiring to hack user accounts.
An attorney for Meta filed a letter to Kendel Melbourne - a former security contractor dismissed in 2021. It indicated that he helped third parties illegally assume control over Instagram accounts, even after he left the firm.
Meta sought Melbourne's list of user accounts he reset and the money he earned.
See Also: Meta Halts Development of Unreleased Smartwatches, Focuses on AR Glasses Instead
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
