Meta Criticised for Using Indigenous Books as US Judge Blocks Layoffs

Gunai author Kirli Saunders has accused Meta of using her book Bindi without consent to train its AI, alongside 36 other First Nations titles from Magabala Books.

Magabala CEO Lilly Brown warned that AI threatens Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, calling it another form of cultural theft. Saunders described the act as “double colonisation” and urged stronger protections.

In the US, Judge Susan Illston blocked the Trump administration from laying off thousands of federal workers during the shutdown. She cited political motives, including Trump’s claim that cuts would target “Democrat agencies,” and ordered the government to account for all planned layoffs.

tags: Meta Indigenous books, Kirli Saunders Bindi AI, Magabala Books ICIP, Indigenous cultural property AI, Meta controversy First Nations, US government shutdown layoffs, Judge Susan Illston ruling, Trump administration layoffs blocked, Russell Vought federal workers, US political layoffs