Mark Zuckerberg has an image problem - so why is Meta's business booming?

Moorhead observes that many users are willing to trade some privacy for the convenience and utility the platforms provide. "If the user sees the trade-off as beneficial, then they'll support it going," he says. "This is why Facebook and Instagram still have billions of users." On the financial side, the social‑media advertising arm—described as its currency cattle—continues to generate substantial income. Meta reported $60.8 billion in gross revenue and $15.9 billion in net profit for the second quarter of this year. Those steady earnings have financed the company’s ventures, including the much‑mocked Metaverse initiative and a broad expansion of its AI infrastructure. Regarding Muse, Winick characterizes it as a practical time‑saving tool. "It's a very real time‑saving saving that a lot of people will want and will like," says Winick. AI development does not come cheap. Meta has accumulated $83.7 billion in long‑term debt, according to its most recent fiscal statement. Nevertheless, Meta’s leadership remains optimistic about the AI shift. "It's really about your agent, who can act on your behalf, who is your constant companion in whatever you're trying to achieve in your goals in your life," Andrew Bosworth, the company's chief technology officer, said in an interview with the BBC. Meta has ambitious plans ahead, but its ultimate success may still depend on whether users can regain trust in the platform. Top representation credit: CTMG, Inc./Leah Gallo Read the full story at BBC News →