The great Facebook exodus

Social-networking behemoth Facebook has been going through a rough stretch when it comes to keeping key executives -- specifically, co-founders of companies that Facebook has acquired -- in the fold. The latest to leave: Brendan Iribe, co-founder of virtual reality specialist Oculus, which Facebook acquired four years ago for nearly $2 billion. In a Facebook post on Monday, Oct. 22, Iribe said he'll be taking his time off to "recharge, reflect and be creative." 

Last month, it was the co-founders of Facebook-owned Instagram who stepped down. "We're planning on taking some time off to explore our curiosity and creativity again," Kevin Systrom wrote in September. "Building new things requires that we step back, understand what inspires us and match that with what the world needs; that's what we plan to do."

Systrom had been CEO of the photo-sharing site.

Joining Systrom in heading for the exit door was Instagram Chief Technical Officer Mike Krieger.

Iribe wasn't the first co-founder of Oculus to leave Facebook. That honor went to Palmer Luckey, who departed in March 2017. Facebook saluted him this way at the time: "Palmer's legacy extends far beyond Oculus. His inventive spirit helped kickstart the modern VR revolution and helped build an industry."

Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp (second from left), jumped ship from Facebook in September 2017. The social network had acquired the messaging app company in 2014 for what eventually became approximately $20 billion.

In this photo, Acton is sitting on a panel alongside Mary Meeker (left), Mike Krieger (second from right) and Facebook's David Marcus (right).

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum gave his notice at the end of April 2018. He said he was leaving to pursue hobbies like ultimate frisbee, but he reportedly disagreed with Facebook's vision for the messaging app.