Mae Holland lands a customer experience job at a powerful tech and social media company called The Circle, co-founded by Eamon Bailey. The company's innovative technology aims to improve human connectivity and transparency. Mae is quickly drawn to The Circle's ambitious goals and idealistic vision, particularly through Eamon's charismatic leadership. As she becomes more involved, Mae participates in an experiment where her life becomes publicly accessible through real-time streaming, dramatically increasing the company's influence.

Despite the initial thrill of being at the forefront of technological advancement, Mae begins to see the darker implications of The Circle's creed of total transparency. Questions about privacy, surveillance, and individual freedom emerge as the company's leaders push towards making secrecy and anonymity obsolete. Mae starts realizing that the relentless drive for transparency may have unforeseen consequences for society. As the stakes rise, she faces critical decisions that could affect her future and the lives of those around her.