Facebook Execs Leave Amid Different Direction

MENLO PARK, CA -- Facebook is losing two of its top executives a week following a report by CNN Business that the tech company plans to exert its attention on being a "privacy-focused" social network -- with an eye on encryption.

The Menlo Park-based company announced Thursday that Chris Cox, its chief product officer, and Chris Daniels, in charge of WhatsApp, are leaving the company.

Cox illustrated a mixed blessing surrounding the departure -- from sad feelings to lucky feelings (a few days before St. Patrick's Day) given his 13 years of service to the social media giant.

"It is with great sadness I share with you that after thirteen years, I’ve decided to leave the company. Since I was 23, I’ve poured myself into these walls. The pixels, the code, the products we’ve built together, the language, the culture, the values, the big ideas, and most of all, the people. Most all my personal highs and lows of the last decade have been tied up in the journey of this company, with (Chief Executive Officer) Mark (Zuckerberg), and with so many of you. This place will forever be a part of me," Cox said.

Cox went on endorse the company's new product focus with "new leaders who are excited to see the new direction through." That new direction won't involve him.

In turn, Zuckerberg complimented Cox, pointing out Cox's "deep empathy for the people using our services and the uplifting spirit he brings to everything he does." Cox started out as an engineer before advancing in the ranks.

"For a few years, Chris has been discussing with me his desire to do something else. He is one of the most talented people I know, and he has the potential to do anything he wants," Zuckerberg wrote in a memo to employees. "As we embark on this next major chapter, Chris has decided now is the time to step back from leading these teams. I will really miss Chris, but mostly I am deeply grateful for everything he has done to build this place and serve our community."

Facebook's stock reacted by dropping Thursday following the news from a company that has endured challenges, criticism and pitfalls.

On the day before leading into Thursday, the company's social media, Instagram and What's App platforms were down for almost a full day as a result of a server failure that had users scrambling in an untethered reality that meant no posting and updating themselves on the latest news.

Nonetheless, Facebook has written the book on reinventing itself amid a changing political and technology-driven business climate.