Today in TechFormer PlayStation 3, iPhone hacker gets a job at Facebook
Hacker George Hotz — who goes by the handle "Geohot" — used to be a major thorn in side of both Apple and Sony, but it appears he's gone legit. And he didn't just get a job at the local computer repair shop either; Hotz is now employed by the world's largest social network, Facebook. According to Facebook users who are friends with Hotz, his personal page confirms his new gig, and notes his involvement with the company's storied "Hackathon" hacking contest.
The 21-year-old computer guru was the first to unlock Apple's iconic iPhone, allowing it to run on networks other than AT&T. He famously traded the unlocked device for a new Nissan 350Z and three new iPhones. His iPhone exploits led to countless jailbroken iPhones and an undeniable amount of trouble for Apple, who now offers unlocked iPhones straight from the source.
Hotz was also the first to crack the software behind Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, and subsequently released his code to other hackers. This leak allowed for a plethora of exploits, and eventually prompted a lawsuit by Sony itself. Hotz and Sony reached an agreement where he would cease distribution of his exploit so long as Sony didn't press charges.
Of all the places Hotz could have ended up, Facebook seems to be the most appropriate. The company has a long history of challenging its employees to find loopholes and cracks in networks and software, and even hired many of its programmers during marathon hacking sessions.
More from Tecca:
