This is how much it could cost to protect Zuckerberg

Facebook could spend up to an additional $10 million protecting Mark Zuckerberg in the wake of “specific threats” against the tech company founder related to the social media giant’s misuse in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The sizable sum was approved by the company to protect Zuckerberg and his family, an SEC filing from Thursday reveals.

Facebook already has an “overall security plan,” that pays the cost of bodyguards and round-the-clock security measures for the CEO’s homes and private aircraft, the company said. The additional $10 million will cover unspecified costs related to his and his family’s personal security.

It’s unclear how much Facebook spends on current security measures for Zuckerberg.

“On July 24, 2018, the Committee approved an annual pre-tax allowance of $10 million to Mr. Zuckerberg to cover additional costs related to his and his family’s personal security. This allowance will be in addition to the continued funding of Mr. Zuckerberg’s overall security program to cover the costs of security personnel for his protection; the procurement, installation, and maintenance of certain required security measures for his residences; and the usage of private aircraft for personal travel,” the filing reads. Facebook said the cost was warranted because “of the importance of Mr. Zuckerberg to Facebook.”

It also used Zuckerberg’s salary to justify the expense, saying he “has requested to receive only $1 in annual salary and does not receive any bonus payments or equity awards.”

The company called the costs “appropriate and necessary” according to the filing.

Facebook has come under scrutiny for its handling of misinformation and the dissemination of propaganda disguised as news.

It was at the center of a scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, a data firm hired by President Trump’s 2016 election campaign to access 50 million Facebook users’ private information in an attempt to sway voters.

Facebook spent $8.8 million protecting Zuckerberg in 2017, up from $5.8 million in 2016.