Privacy group files complaints against Scale AI over alleged worker surveillance
META•European privacy group noyb filed five complaints against Scale AI in France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria, alleging its Outlier platform illegally monitored freelance workers. The complaints cite up to 19 trackers and seek a fine and an examination of task assignments.
1. Complaints filed
Noyb filed five complaints against Scale AI, alleging it illegally monitored freelance workers who produce AI training data. The complaints target Outlier, a platform used by more than 900,000 freelancers, and ask regulators to fine Scale AI and examine how it assigns tasks.
2. Tracking allegations
The complaints say up to 19 trackers record workers’ keystrokes and mouse movements every few seconds, allowing work sessions to be replayed. They also allege that identity checks requiring ID documents and face video are invasive, repeated without explanation and violate EU rules on biometric data.
3. Bonuses and data requests
DiPLab found that Outlier uses game-like mechanisms, and researcher Thomas Le Bonniec said bonuses of $100 to $200 were offered for completing 200 tasks in 24 hours. The complaints say four workers who requested copies of their data between December 2025 and May 2026 received no response.
