Meta Metaverse Strategy Faces Major Cutback: Zuckerberg Plans to Slash Budget by 30%

Jinse Finance reported that Meta Platforms (META.US) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to significantly reduce resource investment in building the metaverse, a strategy he once defined as the company's future and which prompted the renaming of Facebook. According to sources, management has discussed cutting next year's metaverse department budget by as much as 30%. This department covers virtual world product Meta Horizon Worlds and its Quest virtual reality business. If such a significant cut is implemented, layoffs could begin as early as January next year, though a final decision has not yet been made. Sources said the proposed metaverse cuts are part of the company's 2026 budget planning. They added that Zuckerberg has asked Meta executives to seek an overall 10% budget reduction, which has been a standard requirement in similar budget cycles in recent years. Sources pointed out that since Meta has not seen the industry-wide competitive momentum for metaverse technology it once expected, the metaverse department has been asked to make even deeper cuts this year.