Careless People author Sarah Wynn Williams sues Meta

The filings detail the impact that the gag order has had on her life, including how Meta has surveilled her across the UK and barred Sarah from any engagement with the UK Parliament . Most recently, Meta sued Sarah following her silent appearance at the Hay Festival, even though she didn't speak. Due to the gag order, this is the first opportunity that people have had to hear directly from Sarah about her experiences. The filing can be found here.

Ravi Naik, Legal Director of AWO Legal and Sarah's UK lawyer, said:

'470 days ago, Meta used a private arbitrator to silence Sarah Wynn-Williams. No judge, no trial, and no finding that she said anything untrue. Just a secret proceeding between an arbitrator and one of the most powerful corporations in the world. Sarah was not present and she was not represented. Meta asked, and Sarah’s silence was granted.

'Without court intervention, Sarah is threatened with a $50,000 fine by Meta for an expanding set of reasons. From statements that are critical of Meta, to every book sale through to sitting in silence on stage. A threat that exists regardless of the truth, and regardless of whether it exposes wrongdoing by a platform used by billions of people worldwide.

'Today, Sarah asks an open court to intervene and undo what a secret one imposed. This is the first time Sarah has been able to explain to the world what has happened to her. The court filings record the facts of what Sarah has been subjected to and lay bare the extent to which Meta has gone to silence her.'

Mike Harpley, Non-Fiction Publisher, Pan said:

'This filing details how Meta has enforced its legal order against Sarah Wynn-Williams with a chilling campaign of surveillance. Careless People raises crucial issues for society and Meta’s actions prevent necessary public conversation in the UK and beyond.'