Which tech CEOs are on the naughty list this Christmas?

However, despite Louis’s business success, the tech baron died in October this year following one of the decade’s most high-profile sexual assault cases. In the year The first civil suit filed against Louis in 2018 detailed allegations of molestation by a student at the University of Minnesota.

After consistently denying the charges and refusing to testify at trial, the former CEO settled the case hours before it was due to “avoid further pain and suffering caused by the charges.” But while settling the case out of court, the disgraced businessman allowed himself to avoid prosecution, unable to avoid public scrutiny, with the incident being discussed more than 86 million times on the Chinese social networking site Weibo.

Due to the reputational damage caused by the case, alongside a government crackdown on the tech sector in Beijing, Lui stepped down as CEO in April this year. However, it was too late for this controversy to have a seismic impact on the company, JD.com lost a total of 10 billion dollars in market value in the three months after the trial.

Elon Musk

Could a list of really rude tech CEOs be complete without featuring Elon Musk, the new CEO of Twitter and universal online troll? We don’t think so.

The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla have never been afraid of controversy. From referring to a diver involved in a Tham Luang cave rescue as a “pedo man” in a 2018 tweet, to promoting the use of it. Chloroquine as a treatment Covid-19, it seems, follows Muck wherever he goes.

However, after the richest man in the world at last Musk’s misbehavior reached a new level when he found Twitter earlier this year (after a violent back-and-forth that almost led to him being sued for violating his own agreement).

Logging into Twitter HQ – That’s it! pic.twitter.com/D68z4K2wq7

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2022

In what was probably the funniest move in his head, Elon Musk took to Twitter to roll over the kitchen sink in a clear message to “sink” his arrival. Since that dramatic introduction, Musk has been embroiled in controversy after controversy, including an outbreak after posting fake accounts. Blue sign for saleTaking too much A laissez-faire approach to content moderationAnd Shooting Half His work force To reduce costs.

But Musk’s tirade didn’t end with the firing. In one of tech’s biggest HR nightmares, Twitter’s remaining employees were locked out of its headquarters this November, after being faced with an ultimatum: work long, intense hours or be let go without pay.

Lately, it’s looked like Musk might be stepping down as CEO, at least that’s what he almost hinted after. 10 million Twitter users He voted that he should.

So whether you consider Musk a meme machine or public enemy number one, it’s safe to say he won’t be getting a visit from Santa this Christmas.

Mark Zuckerberg

Another tech CEO who is no stranger to the naughty list is Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of MetaPlatforms (FKA Facebook) and Silicon Valley kingpin.

Boasting anything but a clean track record, the problematic behavior appears to date back to his Harvard days, when he was caught using Facebook login details to read users’ personal details. And It was heard when he gave a statement “You can be immoral and still be legal; that’s how I live my life,” said a fellow classmate.

Zuckerberg, who seems to be watching his own death, has landed in serious hot water in recent years for failing to miss critical warning signs before the 2016 Cambridge Analytica scandal and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

“You can be immoral and still be legal; that’s how I live my life.” – Mark Zuckerberg Quote

And unfortunately for Zuck, controversy followed into 2022 Accused left right and center and leave 11,000 employeesWith the social media empire’s value plummeting by $700 billion and relentless cash flow into Metaverse, this year has been exciting for the CEO.

Even his leadership style has been criticized by publications such as Fortune, which says he has three of the five traits found in ‘bad bosses’ – including seeking respect and refusing outside advice. Pretty damn good judgment for the former Silicon Valley poster boy.

Lloyd Blankfein

Finally, we have Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO and senior chairman of Goldman Sachs. Although not Goldman Sachs. Traditionally A technology company, the investment banking firm claims to be fintech’s next big player, and that’s largely thanks to Blankfein himself.

The former CEO didn’t always deserve to be on Santa’s bad side. In the year Boasting a 97% (unheard of) approval rating during his tenure as president in 2010, the New York businessman was extremely popular with his employees. However, Blankfein’s positive public image has been undermined by the executive’s 2016 campaign. In 2008, after he was accused of profiteering during the recession, the company’s participation fell shortly before he lied under oath.

In the year Despite stepping down from the leadership position in 2018, Blankfein’s dirty laundry is on display again in 2022. This time, for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, a case in which ex-Goldman Sachs bankers were found guilty, the Malaysian businessman accounted for more than $4.5 billion in stolen taxpayer money.

And Blankfein wasn’t just guilty by association. Recent discoveries have made direct contact with former Malaysian president Najib Razak to help his children work in the company. Coming from someone who likens banking to “doing God’s work,” it’s no wonder we think he deserves a sack of coal this Christmas.

Which tech CEOs are on the best list?

Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom this holiday season. Here are some CEOs who have had a positive impact on the tech sector. And This year the wider world.

Jack Dorsey

It’s no secret that the former Twitter CEO and current Bloc CEO have always been big on philanthropy. From donating $1 billion to fight the epidemic to donating $10 million to anti-racism research at BLM rallies, Dorsey has a long history of supporting good causes — and 2022 was no different.

When not busy Engaging in Twitter spats with Elon MuskThe tech giant donated a total of $7 million to various Ukrainian charities, including World Central Kitchen, a group that provides fresh food to those affected by the conflict, and Razom, a humanitarian war relief nonprofit.

Tim Cook

Another tech CEO we think deserves some good karma this Christmas is Tim Cook. At a time when protections around data privacy are at an all-time low, Apple’s current CEO is taking a refreshing step toward digital privacy, saying tech users should have more ownership over their personal data.

“If we feel like we’re always being scrutinized, our behavior changes. We’re going to start doing little” – Tim Cook on data privacy

This ethical conscience, along with his ethical outlook and philanthropic outlook, earned him a spot on TIME’s Most Influential People of 2022. We think that many technology leaders may fall by the wayside and prioritize profit over corporate social responsibility. From the cookbook page.