Chris Poole, who founded the controversial online community before joining Google in 2016, has left the giant after jumping among several groups at the company, CNBC has learned.
Poole’s last official date as employee in Google was April 13, according to a local insider, who described his last role as a product manager. Oftentimes, employee shares attached to hiring vest at the five-year mark, though it’s unclear if that’s a reason for Poole’s departure now.
Boy Genius
Poole did not respond to numerous requests for comment. Google has confirmed that Poole is no longer working there.
Poole, who goes with the moniker “Moot,” founded 4chan in 2003 at the age of 15. It grew into one of the most influential and controversial online communities to date. Rolling Stone called him the smartest guy/ boy-genius and the “Mark Zuckerberg of the online world.”
4chan became an early internet haven for nearly unfettered free speech. But over time, it has faced criticism of hackers, pornography, harassment and leaked information – often targeting women and minority groups – and has been the victim of many crimes, as well as FBI’s threats of violence posted on the site, according to reports. In 2015, Poole announced his retirement from 4chan use and sold the business to Japanese businessman Hiroyuki Nishimura for an undisclosed price.
Roles At Google
Poole revealed in 2016 that he had joined Google as a continuation of his career, and in a post now removed, he said he would use his “experience from a dozen years of building online communities and grow in ways that noone could ever do alone. alone. ” He joined as product manager in the photos and streams unit, which oversaw social networking efforts under VP Bradley Horowitz at the time. That sparked speculation that the company hired him to help it revamp its social media ambitions, some of which aimed to compete with Facebook.
Poole jumped through various roles during his five years. At one point, he reportedly became a partner in Google’s in-house start-up incubator, Area 120, which had just started down in 2016. He then became a product manager in the Google Maps division, according to Crunchbase.
Poole jumped between several different roles during his five years. At one point, he reportedly became a partner at Google’s in-house start-up incubator, Area 120, which was just getting off the ground in 2016. He then became a product manager in Google’s Maps division, according to Crunchbase.
The company eventually shuttered the social network in 2018 after it gained little traction against Facebook and other social media sites.
Synopsis
- Chris “Moot” Poole has left Google five years after his hiring made waves.
- Poole is best known as the “boy-genius” who created one of the internet’s earliest and most infamous messaging boards, 4chan.
- Poole held several different roles within the company during his five years, starting at its social media arm and eventually taking a role in Google Maps.
