Expensive security costs Mark Zuckerberg leads the technology world

Mark Zuckerberg leads tech industry in personal security spending 

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Meta has just announced that the cost of protecting CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg in 2024 will reach $27 million, a record high in the tech industry. This expense includes protection for Zuckerberg's family and far exceeds the heads of other corporations, according to the Financial Times.

In comparison, this figure is more than 10 times higher than Elon Musk, when Tesla only spent about $2.4 million on the electric car company's boss's security in 2023.

Tech CEO Security Costs (2023 - 2024)

Mark Zuckerberg (Meta): $27 million (2024)

Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google): $6.78 million (2023)

Elon Musk (Tesla): $2.4 million (2023)

Tim Cook (Apple): $0.82 million for security + $1.62 million for transportation (2023)

Notably, in 2021, Zuckerberg's security costs were higher than the total spending of the top 10 tech CEOs combined, according to Business Insider.

Why is Zuckerberg's security cost so high?

Experts point to a number of reasons:

Public position and influence: Zuckerberg is the face of Meta, any personal risk can directly impact the brand.

Family security: Unlike most CEOs, Meta also spends money on security for his entire family.

Controversy and public risk: Zuckerberg has repeatedly been the focus of issues related to data, privacy and politics.

Social unrest: After a number of attacks on business leaders in the US, corporations have increased spending on security.

Mark Zuckerberg is currently the CEO with the highest personal security costs in the technology world. This figure not only reflects the influence and level of risk he faces, but also raises debate about using corporate budgets to protect personal leaders.