Meta Terminates Abdulrahman Alfozan Following Reports of Saudi Advisory Role
Meta fired Abdulrahman Alfozan after he admitted to advising Saudi government agencies while employed at the company and listed as a venture partner in Riyadh.
Key points
- Abdulrahman Alfozan was terminated from Meta after admitting to advising Saudi government agencies.
- The former employee gained US residency in 2020 and is listed as a venture partner at RAED.
- RAED is a Riyadh-based venture firm associated with a Saudi prince, according to the New York Times.
Meta terminated the employment of Abdulrahman Alfozan. According to a report by the New York Times, the employee, who gained US residency in 2020, advised government agencies in Saudi Arabia and was listed as a venture partner at RAED, a Riyadh-based firm.
The New York Times reported that Alfozan advised government agencies in Saudi Arabia while working at Meta. He is currently listed as a venture partner at RAED. The report notes that RAED has connections to a Saudi prince. The employee is now fired.
Background on Alfozan’s Roles
Alfozan worked at Meta before his recent departure from the company. He obtained US residency in 2020. During his time at Meta, he engaged in advisory roles for organizations in Saudi Arabia. His professional profile includes a listing as a venture partner at RAED, which is based in Riyadh.
The New York Times identified RAED as a venture firm with ties to a Saudi prince. Alfozan’s dual role as a Meta employee and a partner at a Riyadh-based venture capital firm became public. The employee is now fired.
Implications for Staff and Vendors
This incident highlights the scrutiny placed on employees who hold external roles with foreign entities. Alfozan’s advisory work for Saudi government agencies occurred while he was still an employee at Meta. The company terminated his contract.
The termination follows the revelation that Alfozan advised government agencies in Saudi Arabia. He also maintained a partnership at RAED, a Riyadh-based venture firm. The New York Times reported these details. The employee is now fired.
What should you do?
Organizations should review their policies regarding external advisory roles for employees. Companies may need to verify if staff members are advising foreign government agencies. It is important to check for conflicts of interest involving venture capital partnerships.
What to do and how to stay safe: Meta
- Review employee disclosures for external advisory roles with foreign government agencies.
- Verify if staff members hold partnerships in venture firms linked to foreign entities.
- Update conflict of interest policies to address advisory roles with state actors.
- Monitor news reports for disclosures regarding employees with foreign ties.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Meta fire Abdulrahman Alfozan?
Meta terminated Alfozan after he admitted to advising Saudi government agencies while employed at the company.
What is RAED?
RAED is a Riyadh-based venture firm where Alfozan is listed as a venture partner, according to the New York Times.
Did Alfozan have US residency?
Yes, Abdulrahman Alfozan gained US residency in 2020, according to the New York Times report.
