Meta Platforms, Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, and is recognized as one of the world’s leading social media and technology conglomerates[1][6]. Originally founded in 2004 as TheFacebook by Harvard University students Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, the company was initially a college-exclusive networking site before rapidly expanding to a global audience[3][5]. In 2005, it was renamed Facebook, Inc., and in 2021, it rebranded as Meta Platforms, Inc. to signal a strategic focus on building the “metaverse”—an interconnected digital ecosystem blending virtual and augmented reality[1][4]. Meta’s portfolio includes some of the most widely used social media and communication platforms globally: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads[1][6]. These platforms collectively connect over three billion users daily, making Meta the largest social media company by reach[5]. The company’s business model is predominantly advertising-driven, with ads accounting for nearly 98% of its revenue as of 2023[1]. Meta’s platforms have become essential tools for personal communication, business marketing, and community building, influencing both digital culture and global commerce. Key milestones in Meta’s growth include the acquisitions of Instagram in 2012, Oculus VR in 2014, and WhatsApp in 2015, each acquisition significantly expanding its user base and technological capabilities[3][4]. The 2012 initial public offering (IPO) was one of the largest in technology history, cementing Meta’s status as a major player in the tech industry[4]. As of 2023, Meta was ranked 31st on the Forbes Global 2000 list and was the world’s third-largest spender on research and development, investing heavily in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the metaverse[1]. Meta has faced significant scrutiny and controversy, particularly regarding privacy, data security, and the societal impact of its platforms. High-profile incidents include the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, concerns over misinformation, and internal debates about content moderation and mental health effects, especially on younger users[3]. Despite these challenges, Meta remains a dominant force in technology, continuously innovating in social networking, digital advertising, and immersive technologies. Under the leadership of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the company continues to shape the future of online interaction and digital economies[4][6].