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Facebook loses two of its top executives
Two of Facebook Inc.’s top executives will soon be leaving the building, news that comes just a week after Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg revealed the company will be focusing on more privacy-protective services.
Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, who has been with Facebook since 2005, will be leaving along with WhatsApp head Chris Daniels. Daniels had been in his position only a year or so.
The two haven’t made their reasons for leaving public, but given the timing, speculation is that it’s related to Facebook’s new privacy-focused stance. In a post on Facebook, Cox only said he’s leaving because of the new direction Facebook is taking, saying new leaders “who are excited” about the move will be needed.
The beleaguered company has also faced scandal after scandal in recent times, not to mention ongoing investigations – the latest a criminal probe brought this week.
Although Daniels leaving might not be such a big blow to Zuckerberg, Cox had been a fixture at Facebook for a long time. He headed all the company’s main products: Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Cox is by most people seen as the second-highest-ranking person at Facebook after Zuckerberg.
In a note to employees published Thursday, Zuckerberg took his usual noncommittal stance, stating that Cox had been integral to Facebook’s success and he appreciates “his deep empathy for the people using our services and the uplifting spirit he brings to everything he does.” He added that Cox for a while had been talking to him about “doing something new.”
Zuckerberg was similarly vague about Daniels, extolling his merits and what he has done at the company, but not giving any reason for his sudden departure. “While it is sad to lose such great people, this also creates opportunities for more great leaders who are energized about the path ahead to take on new and bigger roles,” he added.
Will Cathcart, who currently heads the Facebook app, will now lead WhatsApp, while video boss Fidji Simo will take his job. It seems no one will fill Cox’s shoes, and team leaders will now report to Zuckerberg.
Image: rulenumberone2/Flickr
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