When it comes to the success of Facebook, most people think of Mark Zuckerberg as the obvious benefactor. After all, he was the creator of the world’s largest social media platform. What many people don’t think about, however, is how much Zuckerberg has lost in the stock market. In the last few years, Zuckerberg has seen his fortune dip below $100 billion.
Today, Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth decreased by $10 billion. This drop in Zuckergberg’s net worth occurred due to Facebook’s recent decision to drop their stock price from $220 to $205. According to Bloomberg, this decision by Facebook caused Zuckerberg’s personal net worth to dip below $90 billion. Despite this dip, Bloomberg also reports that he remains one of the richest people in the world.
This news comes as a surprise to many, considering Zuckerberg is without a doubt the mastermind behind Facebook’s success. In the company’s early days, he would often jump in to fix bugs, lend a hand in customer service and even help shape Facebook’s product strategy. This is what set him apart from his peers and has made him one of the world’s most successful and influential tech entrepreneurs.
However, what many people don’t realise is that Zuckerberg has been selling off his Facebook shares for years. There was even a stint during 2018, when he sold off 17 million shares worth about $4 billion. Now, the decline in share prices is even more significant after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Since the scandal broke out, Facebook’s stock prices have dropped from more than $190/share to just over $168/share.
Notably, Zuckerberg isn’t the only one who has taken a hit from the stock price decline. Facebook’s other co-founders, Chris Hughes and Dustin Moskovitz, are believed to have lost approximately $1.5 billion and $350 million respectively.
The drop in Facebook’s stock price reflects the current volatility of the market. With the US-China trade war and Brexit looming in the horizon, investors are becoming cautious of the tech industry.
Experts also point to the current lawsuits and investigations that Facebook is facing as possible catalysts for the drop. Facebook is currently being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over privacy breaches. It has also recently been hit with a multi-billion dollar lawsuit because of its data-sharing practices.
Data Protection
The most recent data scandals have certainly damaged Facebook’s brand and investors are becoming concerned about the future of the company. This has prompted users to start taking data protection more seriously, as many of the company’s practices have been found to be in violation of consumer rights.
Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has been more diligent in protecting its users’ data. The company recently rolled out new features to protect user data, such as facial recognition and privacy settings. These changes will help to restore consumer trust in the brand and help to sustain its long-term growth.
Facebook has also shifted its focus to privacy-focused products, such as its new ‘Secret Conversations’ messaging service. This feature will allow users to send messages, photos and videos that will self-destruct after a certain amount of time.
Lastly, Facebook has also been testing out encryption technology. This means that messages sent through the Facebook app will be encrypted, making it more difficult for anyone to read them. This is very different from the data-mining practices that Facebook has been accused of in the past.
Regulation Threats
In addition to data protection, regulators have also been raising serious questions about Facebook’s practices. In the US, Facebook is facing increased scrutiny from both the FTC and the Justice Department. There are worries that the FTC may levy a multi-billion dollar fine against the company.
Facebook is also facing regulation threats in Europe. Even though the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in 2018, Facebook has been slow to comply and is now facing multiple investigations. These investigations include allegations of data misuse and lack of transparency.
The GDPR investigation is particularly worrisome as it may result in fines as high as 4% of Facebook’s global revenue if the company is found to be in violation of the law. This could further erode investor confidence in the company and further decrease the value of Facebook’s stock.
These investigations may also result in changes to Facebook’s core business. Regulators could impose restrictions on Facebook’s data-sharing practices and its ability to track users across different platforms. This could result in a shift in the way Facebook monetizes its products, as many of its current revenue streams rely on data-driven advertising.
From Companies To Nations
Facebook’s current woes could soon become a source of international tension. It is well known that Facebook has had a far-reaching influence in various nations, specifically in the US, Russia and China. As such, governments are now beginning to take a closer look at Facebook’s practices and may soon take measures to protect their citizens from potential misuse of their data.
Facebook has already had to make some major concessions in order to ensure compliance. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would be shutting down its Free Basics services in India, which allowed citizens to access certain websites for free. This move was seen as a victory for those who argue that Facebook should not be able to determine which websites users can access.
The new regulations that may be imposed on Facebook could have a serious impact on the company’s bottom line. Not only could it lead to increased operating costs, but it could also lead to a decrease in user engagement. This could further erode investor confidence and lead to a further drop in the value of Facebook’s stock.
The Bottom Line
The recent drop in Facebook’s stock price, and consequent loss of net-worth by Mark Zuckerberg and other co-founders, reflects the current volatility of the market. This could be further exacerbated by the numerous investigations Facebook is currently facing, which could result in hefty fines or other changes to their core business. All this while, governments around the world are putting increasing amounts of pressure on the company in terms of data protection regulations. It is clear that Facebook’s future growth is uncertain and will depend on how it responds to the current challenges it is facing. Whether Zuckerberg and his fellow co-founders can overcome these obstacles remains to be seen.
Collaborations With Competitors
When asked about the current regulations and investigations facing Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg has stated that the company is willing to collaborate with their competitors in order to ensure compliance and create a safer online ecosystem. This could mean working with tech giants such as Google and Microsoft as well as smaller start-ups in order to come up with better solutions to protect user data.
This collaborative approach could help to restore investor confidence in the company and could also lead to new partnerships and products. Zuckerberg has stated that the company is now focusing on collaborative innovation, which could lead to the development of new products and services that could further increase the company’s value.
For example, the company has recently announced plans to launch a new AI-based content moderation tool. This new tool is thought to be a collaborative effort between Facebook and IBM and will be used to detect and remove unwanted content from the platform. Such innovations could help to create a better, safer online experience for users and reduce the risk of future data breaches.
The Ethical Implications
The current regulations and investigations facing Facebook have raised questions about the company’s ethical standards. This has led some to question the company’s decision to invest so heavily in AI and data mining, in particular its “People-Based Marketing” tool. This tool uses AI to create detailed profiles of users and then target them with specific advertisements.
Many experts have argued that this type of AI-powered profiling is unethical, as it violates user privacy, and may also lead to discrimination against certain demographics. As such, it is possible that governments may impose new regulations on Facebook in order to ensure user data is better protected and to reduce the risk of discrimination.
Mark Zuckerberg has also faced criticism for his handling of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. His response was seemingly slow, and many experts have argued that he should have done more to protect user data. This has further raised questions about the company’s commitment to ethical business practices and tarnished its reputation, leading to further drops in the stock price.
