Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Global Policy Chief, to Leave After 15 Years

The person overseeing Meta's worldwide policy and government relations is changing, which could alter how the company handles future regulations. Meta's future approach to digital policy and its relationships with global governments may shift with Kaplan's departure. His exit indicates a potential reevaluation of Meta's external affairs strategy and its engagement with lawmakers across different jurisdictions.

Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, will depart the company next year after a 15-year tenure. Kaplan was instrumental in shaping Meta's approach to global policy and regulatory engagement during his extensive time with the social media giant. His departure marks the end of a significant era for Meta's public policy division, where he played a key role in navigating complex international landscapes and fostering relationships with governments and policymakers worldwide. The spokesperson confirmed Kaplan's upcoming exit.

Kaplan's departure after 15 years signifies a significant transition for Meta's global policy operations. He was a central figure in establishing and managing the company's extensive network of relationships with regulators and policymakers internationally. His experience was critical in navigating the evolving landscape of digital governance and legislative challenges faced by Meta.

This change prompts observation into how Meta will realign its global public affairs strategy and whether new leadership will adopt a different stance on critical policy issues. The company's future engagement with governments on topics such as content moderation, data privacy, and antitrust will be closely watched.