In 2024, Google spent $8.27 million on personal security for CEO Sundar Pichai, marking a nearly 22% increase from $6.78 million in 2023, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The increase in security spending was attributed to a busy year for Pichai, who traveled extensively and engaged in discussions with world leaders about technological innovations, including artificial intelligence. His security measures included residential security, security consultation fees, monitoring services, car and driver services, and personal protection during all travels.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, stated that these security arrangements are deemed necessary and in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, as they help mitigate risks related to the business. The company also emphasized that the security costs should not be viewed as a personal benefit to Pichai, as they stem from the nature of his employment responsibilities. Despite the significant security spending, Google declined to provide further comment on the matter.
The increased spending on Pichai’s security comes at a time when Google has been facing mounting competition in the artificial intelligence space, alongside growing regulatory pressures. The company reported a 12% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, but its search market dominance is increasingly threatened by AI rivals. Additionally, Google’s CEO compensation for 2024, which includes stock awards, reached $10.73 million, up from $8.8 million the previous year.
The rise in security spending reflects a broader trend among major corporations, with at least a dozen S&P 500 companies raising their security budgets in response to heightened threats against top executives. This increase in security spending follows the tragic murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in December.
Other top executives at Alphabet also saw increases in their compensation. Legal chief Kent Walker received $30.2 million in total compensation, up from $27.3 million the previous year, while new finance chief Anat Ashkenazi’s compensation reached approximately $50 million, including a nearly $10 million bonus. The average total compensation for Google’s full-time employees in 2024 was $331,894, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
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