Meta faces uncertain future as top public policy leader for Asia-Pacific leaves role

Meta is set to part ways with its top public policy leader in Asia-Pacific. Simon Milner, Vice President of Public Policy for APAC, is leaving after 14 years, marking the end of his tenure as one of the most senior policy executives in the region.

This departure comes at a time when regional authorities are becoming increasingly serious about overseeing online networks. The development adds complexity to business functions central to Meta’s operations.

Meta is losing a senior policy leader amid increased pressure from governments

Milner has been in charge of Meta’s public strategy across major territories, including China, India, and Japan, areas marked by large populations and steady expansion plans.

As Meta grows further into those markets, oversight shifts toward teams dedicated to rules and compliance, tasked not only with spotting risks but also maintaining working relationships with government officials. Since clarity is rare in such environments, Milner’s role has become a vital force in shifting political landscapes.

Now that regulators are watching Meta more closely, Milner’s role carries greater consequences. As governments zero in on child protection, online scams, and how content is policed, what counts as acceptable changes slowly. In moments like these, people guiding policy inside the company help steer choices, not just reading rules, but nudging features, shaping talks with watchdogs, and adjusting plans when fresh laws land.

His departure at this time makes steady leadership harder, right when ties to policymakers are at their peak.

Over many years, working in multiple regions has shaped Milner’s standing within the organization, which is also why Meta is carefully managing his transition. Before leading policy efforts in Asia-Pacific, he served as Meta’s head of policy in the United Kingdom and Ireland; after that, he oversaw policy across Europe, parts of Africa, and the Middle East.

That exposure allowed him to understand how different governments approached oversight and how quickly laws can change. When sharing news of his departure on LinkedIn, Milner said his involvement over the coming months would focus on finding his successor and on keeping the APAC policy team stable amid ongoing scrutiny of the firm.

Governments across the Asia-Pacific are tightening social media rules

Across the Asia-Pacific region, regulators are increasing pressure on Meta, not just in individual nations but through coordinated efforts spanning multiple jurisdictions. At the heart of Meta’s policy direction in key territories like China, India, and Japan stood Simon Milner, shaping engagement where youthful, digitally active populations shape future ambitions.

Growth initiatives in these regions require careful navigation through changing legal frameworks that evolve faster than corporate timelines allow. In this space, public policy teams play vital roles: interpreting regulations, clarifying platform mechanics for authorities, and detecting signals before they harden into conflict.

Increased oversight has made Meta’s obligations harder to manage. As authorities now question corporate practices even more, expectations have changed a lot. Attention now focuses on concrete issues like digital deception and safeguarding individuals online.

A turning point came in Taiwan when leading financial firms halted promotions on Facebook. Fraudulent posts had mimicked official branding, causing confusion among customers.

The move intensified government attention toward the platform while revealing vulnerabilities in enforcement mechanisms. Loss of advertiser confidence highlighted consequences beyond regulatory oversight, putting the company’s reputation and income at risk. The public examination left little room for the company to react.

The same kind of pressure happened in Japan, with legislators adopting a firmer stance. Public statements from authorities have called on Meta to swiftly remove deceptive advertisements featuring celebrities, reflecting dissatisfaction with perceived delays in the company’s enforcement actions.

What underlies these requests is a growing pattern across the region. Officials now anticipate intervention before widespread impact, rather than waiting until consequences emerge.

Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.