Mark Zuckerberg has come under fire after giving his neighbors noise-canceling headphones as a “gift,” while continuing to expand his Palo Alto compound.
The Meta CEO recently purchased two additional homes bordering his estate, further consolidating the neighborhood into his private enclave. Not long after the acquisitions, neighbors received headphones — a gesture many took as an insult.
Residents said the gift seemed to suggest they should block out the noise from constant construction, rather than expect peace and quiet. For some, it underscored the disruption they’ve endured as Zuckerberg buys up homes and renovates them to suit his family’s privacy needs.
Zuckerberg has long pursued real estate strategies that carve out buffers around his properties, both in Silicon Valley and in Hawaii. While legal, the approach has frustrated neighbors who feel their community is being consumed by one man’s empire.
The two newly purchased homes, costing tens of millions, add to a compound that already spans several properties. His wife Priscilla Chan and their three daughters live with him on the estate.
What might have been seen as a kind gesture has instead drawn ridicule and criticism. The headphones, intended as a neighborly offering, have become a symbol of detachment — highlighting the gap between a billionaire tech leader and the community next door.