Meta is scaling back its employee keystroke and mouse-click tracking programme after 1,500 workers signed a petition. New controls let employees pause tracking for 30 minutes at a time, but the programme itself continues.
When Meta announced in April that it would install software on US employees’ work computers to capture their keystrokes, mouse clicks, and screenshots for AI training, the company’s head of technology Andrew Bosworth was blunt: “There is no option to opt out of this on your work provided laptop.”
Two months and more than 1,500 petition signatures later, there is an option. It lasts 30 minutes.
In an internal memo seen by Reuters, Stephane Kasriel, a vice president in Meta’s Superintelligence Labs unit, told employees that new controls will allow them to pause the tracking software for up to 30 minutes at a time. Staff can also request full exemptions from the programme, though the memo did not detail the criteria for approval.
What the tool collects
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The Model Capability Initiative, or MCI, was designed to teach AI models how humans perform everyday computer tasks. Internal materials reviewed by Reuters showed the system collecting interaction data across more than 200 applications and websites, with possible capture of email contents, chat messages, browsing history, clipboard actions, code changes, and device activity.
Meta has said the data is “not used for any other purpose” and that the tool includes “safeguards to protect sensitive content.” But employees were not reassured. One told the BBC in April that having their actions train AI models felt “very dystopian,” particularly given the expectation of further job cuts. Another described the tool as “just the latest way they’re shoving AI down everyone’s throat.”
The practical complaints
The backlash was not purely philosophical. Employees reported that the tracking software drained laptop batteries and caused home internet usage to surge, a tangible cost for workers who were already being asked to train the AI systems that many believed would eventually replace them.
Kasriel acknowledged these concerns in his memo, saying the team had introduced “several optimisations” to reduce the tool’s impact on battery life. “While we remain confident in the privacy protections we put in place at launch, which went through several layers of risk review, we have heard your concerns about personal data on work devices, battery life, and wanting more control over when capturing happens,” he wrote.
A concession, not a retreat
The 30-minute pause is a concession, but a carefully bounded one. Meta is not abandoning the programme. It is not making the opt-out permanent. It is offering employees a brief window of unmonitored work, then resuming collection. The framing suggests Meta views the tracking as operationally necessary and the pushback as a communication problem rather than a substantive one.
The timing adds context. Meta has cut approximately 8,000 jobs this year, roughly 10% of its workforce, while simultaneously redirecting $135 billion into AI spending. The employees generating training data for Meta’s AI agents are, in many cases, the same employees whose roles those agents are being built to automate.
A separate concern has also emerged around European data. TNW reported that the MCI is collecting substantially more EU employee data than Meta has publicly acknowledged, raising potential GDPR compliance questions that the 30-minute pause does not address.
Meta declined to comment on the record. The petition, with more than 1,500 signatures, remains active. The tracking, with a 30-minute pause button, does too.
Lincolns often get written off as just fancy Fords, but that really undersells what they’re trying to do. Sure, they share parts underneath, but Lincoln usually goes all-in on making things feel quieter, softer, and more premium inside.
A good example is the Lincoln MKC from about a decade ago. It’s closely related to the Ford Escape, but the way it drives and feels puts it closer to compact luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 than you might expect.
Fast-forward to today, and depreciation has done its thing. That same MKC has quietly become a bit of a bargain if you’re shopping used and trying to avoid modern new-car prices.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW and Lincoln, as well as other authoritative sources including CarBuzz, CarComplaints (1/2), and RepairPal.
Even the most affordable cars now offer luxury experiences with advanced technology and premium comforts once reserved for high-end models.
Lincoln’s quiet shift into compact luxury
How the brand moved beyond its old-school limo image
Credit: Lincoln
For a long time, Lincoln was all about big, plush sedans and the heavyweight Navigator SUV. It wasn’t really a brand people thought of for small, everyday crossovers.
That started to change when luxury makers began chasing more mainstream buyers with compact SUVs. Lincoln stepped in with models like the MKC, especially after Mercury was shut down in 2010 and Ford needed Lincoln to cover more of that “premium but not outrageous” space.
Lincoln jumped straight into the segment with the MKC, which first appeared as a lightly disguised concept at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. It then reappeared later that year in near-production form at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Credit: NetCarShow.com
Sales began for the 2015 model year, backed by a marketing push starring Matthew McConaughey. His moody, slow-burn commercials helped give Lincoln a more modern image and got people talking.
The strategy worked, especially with younger luxury buyers. Around half of MKC buyers were new to Lincoln, many coming from Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW.
The MKC shared its front-wheel-drive architecture with the third-generation Ford Escape and stayed on sale through 2020 before being replaced by the current Lincoln Corsair. Despite that mainstream foundation, it still managed to feel properly upscale in day-to-day driving.
It launched at just under $34,000 for 2015 and came loaded with features, punchy turbocharged engines, and one of the quieter, more relaxed rides in its class. For a vehicle with Escape roots, it did a surprisingly good job of feeling like something more premium.
Credit: NetCarShow.com
Lincoln gave the MKC a pretty big refresh for 2019, and that’s the version most buyers should be looking at today. It brought a cleaner front-end design, a nicer interior, and more standard tech across the board.
On top of that, it refined what was already a fairly comfortable, quiet SUV. The result is a 2019 MKC that feels even more like a genuine alternative to the BMW X3 than earlier models did.
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How the MKC holds up today
A budget luxury SUV that still feels surprisingly refined
The 2019 MKC came with two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, with the more powerful one reserved for higher trims. That engine was paired exclusively with all-wheel drive, pushing fully-loaded Black Label models close to $50,000.
By comparison, the 2019 BMW X3 started around $41,000 with its turbo four, offering similar real-world performance but in a more tightly engineered package. The Lincoln doesn’t really try to win on dynamics—it leans hard on equipment instead.
Even base MKC models were well-equipped with 18-inch wheels, a power tailgate, parking sensors, remote start, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were standard, while blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, cross-traffic alert, and active park assist were available higher up the range.
The X3, despite its higher price, made Apple CarPlay part of an optional package and didn’t offer Android Auto at all.
Inside, the MKC is very much focused on comfort. The front seats are soft, supportive, and come standard with heating, which on the X3 was only available through an extra package.
You also get 12-way power adjustment with four-way lumbar support, while the BMW sticks to 10-way seats without power lumbar adjustment. It’s a clear win for the Lincoln on everyday comfort and convenience.
Materials up front are generally decent, but things do feel a bit cheaper as you move into the rear. Rear headroom is also on the tight side, especially with the panoramic roof, and that’s where the X3 pulls ahead.
The BMW also has a noticeable advantage when it comes to cargo space.
Make and model
2019 Lincoln MKC
2019 BMW X3
Headroom front / rear
39.6 inches / 38.7 inches
41.1 inches / 39.1 inches
Legroom front / rear
42.8 inches / 36.8 inches
40.3 inches / 36.4 inches
Cargo space behind rear seats / maximum
25.2 cu ft / 53.1 cu ft
28.7 cu ft / 62.7 cu ft
Dimensions L/W/H
179.2 inches / 73.4 inches / 65.2 inches
185.9 inches / 74.4 inches / 66.0 inches
On the road, the MKC is more composed than you’d expect, and even a bit sporty if it’s fitted with the adaptive dampers. It doesn’t come close to the X3 for steering sharpness or overall balance, but it’s more capable than its comfort-first image suggests.
The BMW still feels like the better driver’s SUV, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive foundation. It delivers tighter body control, better feedback, and a more cohesive feel overall.
The MKC’s engines are responsive enough for everyday driving, but they’re not exactly exciting. The X3, on the other hand, feels more energetic across the board, with a sharper turbo four and a much stronger inline-six option—though you’ll pay a lot more for it.
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What you’ll pay for a used MKC today
Luxury SUV comfort without the luxury price tag
Looking on the CarBuzz Marketplace, used MKCs are still surprisingly affordable, even for later models with lower mileage. As mentioned earlier, the 2019 version is the one to aim for thanks to its updated styling, tech, and overall refinement.
With around $15,000 to spend, you get a lot of SUV for the money considering the standard equipment. Prices can start near $10,000, but those examples usually come with well over 100,000 miles.
Push closer to that $15,000 mark and the options open up quite a bit. Clean 2019 MKCs with around 60,000 miles or less start to become realistic, making it feel like a proper bargain.
Most listings come with the standard 2.0-liter turbo engine, while AWD typically doesn’t add much to the price. The more powerful 2.3-liter turbo usually costs a bit more, often a couple thousand dollars extra.
Credit: NetCarShow.com
Compared to the 2019 BMW X3, the MKC looks even more tempting, since clean X3s with under 100,000 miles rarely drop below the $15,000 mark. Based on CarBuzz pricing trends, the BMW typically costs about $4,300 more on average, although there are far more listings to choose from.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. The 2019 MKC has above-average reliability ratings from RepairPal, but it’s not completely trouble-free.
CarComplaints has reported recurring engine issues, especially coolant intrusion problems with the 2.0-liter that can lead to serious failures. The optional 2.3-liter turbo is generally considered the safer bet, with stronger performance and better long-term durability.
Earlier MKCs can show similar issues, so it’s important to check service history carefully. A full pre-purchase inspection is a must before committing to any example.
Credit: NetCarShow.com
The 2019 X3 generally scores better for reliability, but it’s still not completely problem-free. CarComplaints notes reports of coolant leaks, cooling system failures, and the odd electronic issue, especially as mileage climbs.
The six-cylinder models tend to be seen as the most solid and desirable, but they also come with a much higher price tag on the used market. And like most older BMWs, running costs and repairs can end up being noticeably higher than what you’d typically see with domestic brands.
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Luxury SUV value, but not without trade-offs
Big comfort and low prices, balanced by a few ownership risks
Credit: NetCarShow.com
For buyers willing to live with a few compromises, the Lincoln MKC offers a lot of luxury SUV for not much money. A clean 2019 example can undercut a comparable BMW X3 by thousands while still bringing strong comfort, plenty of features, and decent performance.
That said, it’s not a totally worry-free buy. Known issues—especially around the 2.0-liter engine—can take some of the shine off the deal. Shopping carefully and leaving room in the budget for potential repairs is key if the MKC’s bargain pricing is going to stay that way.
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