Is Meta / Facebook Stock Halal?
How much of Meta’s revenue comes from haram?
In addition to Facebook.com, Meta Platforms also owns Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, Giphy and Mapillary, and has a 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms.
Meta earns its revenue from the following revenue sources:
- Advertising:
Includes revenue generated from displaying ad products on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and third-party affiliated websites or mobile applications.
- Other Revenue:
Includes revenue generated from Facebook Reality Labs, consumer hardware devices, and net fees from developers using Facebook’s Payments infrastructure.
The contributions from each of Meta’s revenue segments in their 2020 annual report were as follows:
Since Meta relies almost exclusively on advertising revenue, it is laser focused on capturing as much of its users’ attention as possible often at the expense of the well-being of its users.
If it needs to show vulgar and indecent posts to keep its users’ attention, then that’s what it will show.
If it needs to show conspiracy theories and political extremes, then that’s what it will show.
A business model where the interests of the business are at odds with the well-being of its customers is fundamentally unIslamic.
Not to mention revenue generated from advertisements that promote haram products/services, such as alcohol and gambling, is impermissible.
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
A material portion of Meta’s revenue comes from haram.
Does Meta rely on interest to operate?
| Year-to-Date for period ended 6/30/2021 | Fiscal year ended 12/31/2020 | Fiscal year ended 12/31/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Income (net) | $239,000 | $672,000 | $904,000 |
| Total Revenue | $55,248,000 | $85,965,000 | $70,697,000 |
| Interest Expense (net) | – | – | – |
| Total Expenses | $31,503,000 | $53,294,000 | $46,711,000 |
| Interest Income (net) / Revenue | 0.43% | 0.78% | 1.28% |
| Interest Expense (net) / Total Expense | – | – | – |
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
Riba is used but not relied upon in Meta’s operations.
What is Meta’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact?
Environment
In 2020, Facebook achieved net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, 100% renewable energy use in its global operations, and restored nearly 5.8 million cubic meters of water in high water-stressed regions.
Social
Practical Islamic Finance believes Facebook’s platforms were likely created with positive intentions and have had some positive impacts.
That said, it is clear Facebook and its various platforms, like Instagram, have had negative consequences, including being used as tools to spread misinformation and extremist views as well as post immodest images and promote un-Islamic themes and media.
Governance
Facebook has a long history of getting in trouble for anti-competitive practices, sharing its users’ personal data with websites and advertisers, and in 2019, collecting audio messages from private voice chats on its Messenger app.
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
Meta has a net negative ESG impact.
Comfort Rating
From Meta’s business, financial, and ESG reviews, Practical Islamic Finance rates Meta stock as:
Uncomfortable to invest in from a Halal perspective.
Justification for our Rating
While Meta and its various platforms certainly have some positive influences, the negative byproducts of continuously striving to grab larger shares of its customers’ attention, inadequate care for its customers’ privacy, and promotion of media that do not meet Islamic standards make us uncomfortable investing in Meta from a halal perspective.
Sources
Facebook’s Latest Audio Transcription Scandal Exposes a Key Dilemma of AI
How to Apply for Permission to Promote Online Gaming or Gambling