6 most controversial CEOs who shook the tech industry

In the world of technology, CEOs are often celebrated as visionaries, innovators, and pioneers, driving humanity into the future.

But for every breakthrough, there are controversies that shadow their legacies.

 From questionable leadership decisions to ethical scandals, some of the most powerful names in tech have been equally notorious for their disputes.

Here’s a closer look at six of the most controversial tech leaders whose actions continue to spark outrage and endless discussion.

1. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, is both admired and criticised in equal measure. Known for his futuristic ventures, Musk has also developed a reputation for erratic behaviour.

From misleading tweets that triggered SEC lawsuits to spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Musk has often dominated headlines for the wrong reasons.

His $44 billion Twitter takeover became a global spectacle, followed by mass layoffs, advertiser boycotts, and a surge in hate speech on the platform.

2. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta

As the co-founder and CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg revolutionised social media, connecting billions of people worldwide.

That said, his leadership has been dogged by privacy scandals, misinformation crises, and mounting criticism over accountability.

The infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how user data was weaponised to influence elections.

Since then, Zuckerberg has faced congressional hearings, employee protests, and global condemnation for Meta’s role in spreading fake news and fostering toxic online environments.

3. Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, redefined e-commerce and became the world’s richest man before Musk surpassed him.

However, behind Amazon’s meteoric rise lies a darker narrative of harsh warehouse conditions, anti-union policies, and monopolistic practices.

Many reports of employees working under grueling conditions with little regard for worker safety tarnished Bezos’s image.

Moreover, his ownership of The Washington Post drew criticism, with claims of editorial interference.

4. Larry Page, co-founder of Google

Larry Page, co-founder of Google and former CEO of Alphabet, is credited with building one of the most influential companies in history.

Although his technological contributions are vast, his leadership style sparked controversy.

Known for being socially detached and unapproachable, Page often avoided direct interactions with employees.

Insiders described him as aloof, sometimes rude, and unwilling to engage in organisational challenges.

5. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP

Carly Fiorina made history as the first female CEO of a Fortune 100 company when she took the helm of Hewlett-Packard (HP).

However, her tenure quickly spiraled into controversy. She oversaw mass layoffs, imposed pay cuts, and controversially authorized exports to Iran.

Adding to the criticism, Fiorina reportedly tripled her salary and bought a private jet while employees faced growing instability.

6. Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was once hailed as a prodigy destined to revolutionise cryptocurrency through his exchange, FTX.

But his empire collapsed in 2022 when investigators uncovered a staggering $10 billion fraud, including insider trading and misuse of customer assets.

Convicted in 2023 and sentenced to 25 years in prison, Bankman-Fried became a symbol of crypto’s dark side.