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Companies Encyclopedia Entry 1783034436

** This comprehensive encyclopedia entry provides an in-depth look at the history, key information, and significance of a prominent company in the global market. **CONTENT** ### Overview **Company Name:** Meta Platforms, Inc. Meta Platforms, Inc., commonly referred to as Meta, is a multinational technology and online social media company headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates and fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, the company has grown to become one of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world. Meta's primary focus is on developing and operating online social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company's mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. With over 3.5 billion monthly active users across its platforms, Meta has become a dominant force in the digital landscape. ### History/Background Meta was initially founded as Thefacebook, a social networking platform exclusively for Harvard University students. The platform quickly gained popularity, and by 2005, it had expanded to other colleges and universities in the United States. In 2006, the company dropped "The" from its name and became Facebook, Inc. Over the years, Facebook has acquired several other companies, including Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. In 2021, Facebook, Inc. rebranded itself as Meta Platforms, Inc., reflecting the company's expanded focus on virtual reality and the metaverse. The rebranding effort was led by Mark Zuckerberg, who stated that the new name would help the company to "build a future that is more open, more inclusive, and more equitable for everyone." ### Key Information * **Revenue:** $117.94 billion (2021) * **Employees:** Over 80,000 (2022) * **Headquarters:** Menlo Park, California, USA * **Founders:** Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes * **Notable Acquisitions:** Instagram (2012), WhatsApp (2014), Giphy (2020) * **Subsidiaries:** Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus VR, and more Meta's platforms have had a significant impact on modern society, with both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, Facebook has connected billions of people around the world, allowing them to share ideas, connect with friends and family, and access a vast array of information. On the other hand, the platform has been criticized for its role in spreading misinformation, promoting online harassment, and compromising user data. ### Significance Meta's significance extends far beyond its role as a social media company. The company's platforms have become an integral part of modern life, shaping the way people communicate, access information, and interact with each other. As the world becomes increasingly digital, Meta's influence will only continue to grow. Moreover, Meta's commitment to innovation and research has led to significant advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and online safety. The company's efforts to promote digital literacy, online safety, and community building have also had a positive impact on society. **INFOBOX:** - **Name:** Meta Platforms, Inc. - **Type:** Technology and online social media company - **Date:** Founded in 2004 - **Location:** Menlo Park, California, USA - **Known For:** Developing and operating online social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp **TAGS:** Meta, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Social Media, Technology, Online Safety, Digital Literacy, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Online Harassment, Misinformation, Community Building.