Sheryl Sandberg announces her departure from Meta board

Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta, will be leaving the company's board of directors. Sandberg, a prominent figure in the tech industry, believes that now is the right time for her to step away, stating that Meta is well-positioned for the future. She will continue to support the company as an informal advisor. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his gratitude for Sandberg's immense contributions to the company. Sandberg joined Facebook when it was a small startup and played a crucial role in transforming its advertising business into a highly profitable enterprise. Additionally, she helped the company expand by acquiring Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Sandberg gained global recognition through her books, particularly Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. However, her tenure at the company was marred by controversies such as misinformation during the 2016 election, the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, and the Capitol riot in 2021. Sandberg announced her departure in a Facebook post, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as COO and board member for over a decade. Following her announcement, Zuckerberg thanked her for her dedication and guidance. Meta is currently facing challenges due to increasing social media regulations and changes in Apple's privacy rules, impacting their targeted advertising business. Additionally, the growth of Facebook users in key markets has stagnated, and the company has lost younger users to competitors like TikTok.