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Meta employee faces investigation for stealing 30,000 private photos

Apr 7, 2026, 11:36 AM20
(Update: Apr 7, 2026, 5:39 PM)
American online social media and social networking service
American multinational technology corporation

Meta employee faces investigation for stealing 30,000 private photos

  • A former Meta engineer is under investigation for downloading 30,000 private Facebook photos.
  • The individual designed a program to circumvent internal security protocols to access the images.
  • Meta reported the breach, fired the employee, and improved its security systems.
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In the United Kingdom, a former Meta employee is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly downloading approximately 30,000 private images from Facebook users. The incident came to light over a year ago when the company discovered that the engineer had designed a program that bypassed internal security protocols to access these private photos. The police initiated the investigation after Meta reported the breach and promptly terminated the employee’s contract. The investigation involves specialized detectives from the Metropolitan Police's cybercrime unit. The engineer, who resides in London, was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized access to computer material in November 2025. Following his arrest, he was released on bail and is required to report to the police in May 2026. Meta has stated that it informed the affected users of the breach and has taken steps to strengthen its security systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. In addition to this matter, Meta has faced other legal challenges regarding its handling of user data and the addictive nature of its social media platforms. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding user privacy and data security within major technology companies. The affected parties have received notifications from Meta regarding the unauthorized access of their images, and the company has publicly emphasized that protecting user data is its top priority. This case shines a light on challenges faced by internet companies in safeguarding user information against breaches from within, demonstrating the need for robust internal security measures across the tech industry.

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