Security Costs of Silicon Valley Giants

San Francisco tech companies spend millions of dollars annually for police protection, according to newly released records. OpenAI, the artificial intelligence firm co-founded by Sam Altman, is among those companies shelling out significant sums. The company paid nearly $2 million in 2022 for the services of a top-tier private security firm. Other tech giants in the city are also paying high prices for their security arrangements. For instance, Twitter Inc., which was acquired by Elon Musk last year, spent around $1.7 million on police protection in 2022. Meanwhile, rival companies like Google and Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. spent significantly less, with reported expenditures of around $600,000 and $500,000 respectively. The security costs are partly due to the growing threat posed by extremist groups who have been known to target high-profile figures and corporate offices. As a result, tech giants are investing heavily in advanced security measures, including AI-powered surveillance systems and private security forces. These high security costs come as many cities struggle with rising crime rates and public safety concerns.