4 most hated tech CEOs of all times

In the fast-paced world of technology, CEOs are often celebrated as visionaries and the masterminds behind revolutionary products, disruptive business models, and multi-billion-dollar empires.

However, behind the glossy headlines and polished keynote speeches, some of the industry’s most powerful leaders have developed reputations that are far from flattering.

Here’s a closer look at the four tech CEOs whose reputations have been shaped as much by controversy as by innovation.

Larry Page

Google co-founder and former CEO of Alphabet, Larry Page, played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most influential companies of the modern era.

Yet, those who worked closely with him often describe him as detached, sometimes to the point of rudeness.

Reports have claimed that during high-stakes meetings, Page was disengaged, preferring minimal human contact.

Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook’s (now Meta’s) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a lightning rod for criticism, with a career full of accusations of unethical conduct.

Allegedly hacking rivals, facing lawsuits over stolen ideas, and allowing Facebook to become a breeding ground for misinformation are part of his contentious legacy.

From the Cambridge Analytica scandal to allegations of fueling political unrest, Zuckerberg has been called to testify before Congress multiple times.

Elon Musk

The Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, is arguably the most polarising CEO alive. His achievements with Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink are overshadowed by his impulsive tweets, SEC run-ins, and erratic management style.

His takeover of Twitter (now X) led to mass layoffs and chaotic policy changes.

Musk’s political ventures, like his 2025 involvement in the controversial DOGE government initiative, only deepened public division.

Linda Yaccarino

Linda Yaccarino’s appointment as CEO of X in 2023 was supposed to stabilise the platform after Musk’s turbulent reign.

Instead, she inherited a toxic brand environment. Her tenure has been defined less by her own decisions and more by the chaos of Musk’s continued involvement.

Notably, Yaccarino departed X after Musk merged X with his xAI artificial-intelligence (AI) company