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Companies Encyclopedia Entry 1780313345

** This article 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. (previously Facebook, Inc.) Meta Platforms, Inc. is a multinational technology and online social media company that has revolutionized the way people connect, share, and interact with each other. 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 exponentially to become one of the world's largest and most influential technology companies. With a market capitalization of over $1 trillion, Meta Platforms, Inc. has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, making it an essential part of modern life. ### History/Background Meta Platforms, Inc. was initially founded as "Thefacebook" in 2004, a social networking platform exclusively for Harvard University students. The site quickly gained popularity, and within a month, it expanded to other colleges and universities in the United States. In 2005, the company dropped "The" from its name and became simply "Facebook." Over the years, Facebook acquired several other companies, including Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, expanding its reach and services. In 2021, the company rebranded itself as Meta Platforms, Inc., reflecting its broader focus on virtual reality, e-commerce, and other emerging technologies. ### Key Information - **Revenue:** $117.9 billion (2021) - **Employees:** Over 80,000 (2022) - **Headquarters:** Menlo Park, California, USA - **Products:** Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus VR, Portal, and more - **Founders:** Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes - **IPO:** May 18, 2012 - **Market Capitalization:** Over $1 trillion (2022) Meta Platforms, Inc. has achieved numerous milestones, including: - **Most followed person on Facebook:** Mark Zuckerberg (over 150 million followers) - **Most downloaded app:** Facebook (over 5 billion downloads) - **Most used messaging app:** WhatsApp (over 2 billion users) - **Most popular social media platform:** Facebook (over 2.7 billion monthly active users) ### Significance Meta Platforms, Inc. has had a profound impact on modern society, transforming the way we communicate, interact, and access information. The company's platforms have: - **Democratized access to information:** Making it easier for people to access and share information, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background. - **Enabled global connectivity:** Facilitating connections between people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. - **Driven economic growth:** Creating new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to reach a global audience. - **Raised concerns about data privacy and security:** Highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry. **INFOBOX** - **Name:** Meta Platforms, Inc. - **Type:** Technology and online social media company - **Date:** Founded in 2004 - **Location:** Menlo Park, California, USA - **Known For:** Revolutionizing social media and online communication **TAGS:** Technology, Social Media, Online Platforms, E-commerce, Virtual Reality, Data Privacy, Security, Market Capitalization, IPO.