Facebook spent $26.8 million in 2021 to protect its boss from threats

Every year, Facebook owner Meta spends millions on security for both top executive Mark Zuckerberg and chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.

A recent statement from the company said Zuckerberg’s security costs were $26.8 million in 2021. That’s up about six percent from the year before when the bill was $25.3 million.

According to the company, the higher costs in 2021 are primarily due to private travel, costs associated with security protocols due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and an increase in market prices for security personnel.

The “overall security program” for the top executive in 2021 cost the company $15.2 million. Under the overall security program for Zuckerberg, the Company pays for the personal security costs of Zuckerberg and his residences and during personal travel, including the annual cost of security personnel for his security and the purchase, installation, and maintenance of certain security measures for his homes.

In addition, he receives $10 million a year before taxes to spend on security himself, above and beyond what Meta basically covers. That money is used for additional personnel, equipment, services, property improvements, and other security-related costs.

Meta also covers private travel by private aircraft. Last year, the company spent $1.6 million, slightly less than in previous years. Meta explains they have to spend money on Zuckerberg’s security as he is “synonymous” with the company. Starting in 2022, the company will also pick up the tab for use of Zuckerberg’s own private plane, they pay an amount for travel Zuckerberg conducts on the aircraft Zuckerberg owns that is commensurate with market prices for comparable travel.

The security budget around Zuckerberg accounts for almost the entire cost Meta pays the top executive. Zuckerberg draws only a one dollar salary annually and has foregone all bonus programs.